The role of oxygen therapy in the recovery phase of day surgery

Oxygen therapy in the inpatient setting is standard practice in the postoperative phase. The aim of this study was to evaluate the need for the routine use of oxygen in the transit phase from the operating theatre to recovery, and its continued use in recovery, in patients undergoing day surgery. ASA I–II patients undergoing body surface surgery, using anaesthetic agents with a rapid recovery profile, are not subject to many of the factors that predispose to postoperative hypoxaemia. This study showed that in our unit the majority of patients do not require oxygen therapy in the theatre-recovery transit phase, and that attention to patient positioning, airway patency, and elimination of the second gas effect may be sufficient. Each day surgery unit (DSU) must make decisions on the need for postoperative oxygen therapy based on the unit layout and the condition of the patient.