Abstract

Apnoeic oxygenation with humidified high-flow nasal oxygen is a recognised anaesthetic technique for patients undergoing endoscopic head and neck surgical procedures This oxygenation technique has been proven to be both safe and effective, whilst allowing unobstructed access to the surgical field The impact of the chosen oxygenation technique on operating theatre productivity has not been measured in this field previously Apnoeic oxygenation with high-flow nasal oxygen was associated with reduced overall time in the operating theatre suite and reduced time in the post-anaesthesia care unit, when compared to procedures performed with a microlaryngoscopy tube Future work will involve grouping patients together by oxygenation technique to maximise improvements in operating theatre productivity and increase patient throughput