Respiratory failure & ventilation
High-flow nasal oxygen in the perioperative setting: A narrative review
Authors' conclusion
Overall, HFNO represents a well-tolerated, physiologically sound, and clinically valuable option for oxygen delivery throughout the perioperative continuum.
Study context
- Population
- Perioperative patients (airway management, postoperative period, procedural sedation)
- Comparison
- High-flow nasal oxygen (HFNO) vs conventional oxygen therapy
Methodological detailsLimitations: variability in flow titration, modest and flow-dependent PEEP generation, heterogeneity among clinical studies
- Limitations: variability in flow titration, modest and flow-dependent PEEP generation, heterogeneity among clinical studies
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- HFNO prolongs safe apnoea time and decreases the incidence of desaturation vs conventional oxygen therapy, especially in high-risk populations (obese, cardiothoracic surgical patients)
- Postoperatively, HFNO may reduce the need for escalation to NIV and improve patient comfort
- HFNO enhances safety during procedural sedation (endoscopy, bronchoscopy) by limiting hypoxaemic events
Original publication
High-flow nasal oxygen in the perioperative setting: A narrative review. Anaesth Crit Care Pain Med. Published 26 March 2026. doi:10.
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