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NPO..Nasopharyngeal Oxygen

Simply,Nasal prongs can’t deliver much oxygen due to their drying effect on the nasal mucosa
.
Hudson masks or non-rebreather masks are sometimes not that well tolerated.

Patients many times  get restless and combative with a face mask, or simply wear it on forehead

HUMIDIFIED NASAL HIGH-FLOW OXYGEN seems a little too much, or you don’t have it.

NASOPHARYNGEAL OXYGEN could be the solution for the mentioned artifacts in oxygen therapy tools...

NPO is achieved by insertion of a size 10 gauge oxygen catheter (for adults) passed through the nares and advanced to the depth of the nasopharynx. The depth of insertion is determined by the distance from the ala nasi to the tragus… Oxygen flow rates for NPO are generally provided at 2-6 L/min”

NPO gives equivalent oxygenation to a mask oxygen delivered at higher flows.

A study from Anaesthesia and Intensive Care reports NPO’s halved the needed oxygen flow rate.

It also helps the patient drink, feed and talk more easily while still getting oxygen therapy. And scores higher in patient comfort(1).

Another study found NPO’s to be more oxygen effecient than both face masks and nasal prongs to achieve a sat>95%. They also found NPO’s and nasal prongs to be rated higher in patient comfort than face masks(2)

(1)Nasopharyngeal oxygen (NPO) as a safe and comfortable alternative to face mask oxygen therapy, Aust Crit Care. 2006
(2)Nasopharyngeal oxygen in adult intensive care–lower flows and increased comfort, Anaesth Intensive Care. 2004

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