South African medical journal = Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir geneeskunde
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The importance of routine pre-oxygenation before induction of anaesthesia was demonstrated in animals. The onset of dangerous levels of hypoxia after the administered of suxamethonium can be delayed considerably by the administration of pure oxygen for 5 minutes before induction. ⋯ After pre-oxygenation the volume of oxygen in the functional residual capacity of the lungs shows a sixfold increase. This is the principal oxygen store during apnoea.
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Postoperative pulmonary complications, the most common of which are atelectasis and pneumonia, are due largely to the pathophysiological effects on the lungs of anaesthesia and surgery as well as pre-existing disease, in particular chronic obstructive airways disease (COAD). Pre-operative assessment, including pulmonary function tests, will allow the prediction of the risk of pulmonary complications. Active measures can then be introduced to reduce these complications.