Prospective randomized trial comparing oxygen administration during nasal flexible bronchoscopy : oral vs nasal delivery.

STUDY OBJECTIVES To determine the optimal method of delivering supplemental oxygen during flexible bronchoscopy (FB). DESIGN Prospective study. SETTING University medical center. PATIENTS Ninety-seven consecutive patients undergoing outpatient nasal FB during a 7-month period. INTERVENTION During FB, delivery of oxygen was alternated weekly and administered by nasal cannula either nasally (52 patients) or orally (45 patients). Prior to the procedure, patients completed a questionnaire regarding oral or nasal breathing preferences, history of sinus disease, allergy history, and perceived degree of nasal congestion. RESULTS Comparison of oxygen delivery groups demonstrated no significant difference in oxygen requirements (4.1 L/min nasal vs 3.8 L/min oral, p = 0.63), overall saturation nadir (90.9% nasal vs 91.4% oral, p = 0.85), or average saturation (95.8% nasal vs 95.7% oral, p = 0.57). No correlation between subjective symptoms or sinus or allergy history was found for oxygen requirements, average saturation, or saturation nadir. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that during nasal FB, no discernible difference exists between administration of oxygen using cannulas placed either nasally or orally.