2 2 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • A P R I L 2 0 1 6
F
or the claus-
trophobic
patient who
gets anxious having
a face mask placed
over him, remove
the mask and have
him place his lips
around the round
connector on the
anesthesia circuit.
Patients find this
much more comfort-
able while they're
pre-oxygenating. As
soon as the patient
falls asleep, simply
reattach the face
mask so induction
can proceed as nor-
mal.
Richard O'Leary, MD
Liberty Anesthesia
San Jose, Calif.
rjoleary1@gmail.com
How to Pre-Oxygenate Claustrophobic Patients
Ideas Work
P r a c t i c a l p e a r l s f r o m y o u r c o l l e a g u e s
That
• FEELING CONFINED Let claustrophobic patients hold the
round connector on the anesthesia circuit in their mouths until they fall asleep.
Richard
O'Leary,
MD
