A study to investigate the utility of Optiflow for Pre oxygenation.

This study is testing whether a nasal high-flow oxygen delivery system (Optiflow) can be used before anaesthesia is started — a phase called pre-oxygenation — as a more comfortable and effective alternative to the traditional face mask approach. Before giving a general anaesthetic, anaesthetists fill the lungs with oxygen to create a safety buffer in case breathing becomes difficult during the procedure. The face mask can be uncomfortable and sometimes does not seal well. Adults aged 18–80 who are scheduled for throat or airway surgery under general anaesthetic will be recruited to assess how effective Optiflow is at pre-oxygenating the lungs, compared to standard face mask pre-oxygenation, by measuring oxygen levels in the blood. You may be eligible if you are aged 18–80, are having laryngotracheal surgery under general anaesthetic expected to last at least 15 minutes, and can give informed consent. People with a BMI over 35, severe lung disease, low baseline oxygen levels, certain contraindications to high-flow oxygen, skull base defects, bleeding in the nose or throat, or specific anaesthetic requirements cannot participate. This study is sponsored by Fisher & Paykel Healthcare and aims to make the induction of anaesthesia more comfortable and safer.