Hyperoxygenation of the operating field can prevent hypoxia during open surgery of the distal airway under high-frequency jet ventilation.

The use of high-frequency jet ventilation (HFJV) during distal trachea surgery and carina surgery has long been documented.1 and 2 Nonetheless, in most cases, controlling the patient's oxygenation requires a substantial increase in the fraction of inspired oxygen (FIO2) used by the HFJV, which, in our experience, varies between 50% and 100%. In these operative conditions, surgical opening of the distal trachea or of the carina inevitably is accompanied by a mixing of the gases administered to the patient by HFJV and the surrounding air present in the operating room, owing to the Venturi effect. This mixing is rapidly followed by a reduction in the FIO2 distributed to the patient and a significant arterial desaturation.