Evaluation of Ventilation with Nasal Versus Face Mask After General Anesthesia Induction in Pediatric Patients

Because of some difficulties during face mask ventilation in unconscious patients, such as upper airway obstruction patients, we conducted this study to compare nasal and face mask ventilation during general anesthesia induction.

In this clinical trial study, 70 patients between 3 and 12 years old undergoing elective lower abdominal surgery with general anesthesia were randomly divided into two groups. After administration of induction agents, one group was ventilated with the face mask and 100% oxygenation in three minutes and the other with the nasal mask. The mean expiratory volume, airway pressure, end-tidal CO2 (EtCO2), blood oxygen saturation (SpO2), and hemodynamic factors were recorded and compared in the baseline, two minutes after mask ventilation, and five minutes after intubation.

The mean EtCO2 in the second minute after ventilation was significantly higher in the nasal mask group than in the face mask group (P = 0.04). However, in the fifth minute after intubation, there was no significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.31). Other factors related to ventilation did not significantly differ between the two groups.

It can be concluded that nasal mask ventilation is as effective as facial mask ventilation. The nasal mask can replace the face mask if there is difficult face mask ventilation or airway obstruction.