[Pulse oximetry: an indicator for the closure of a tracheostome after lateral fixation of the vocal cords (cordopexy)].

The aim of the study was to establish an objective method to predict proper breathing after the closure of the tracheostomy in patients operated upon for laryngeal diplegia by lateral cordopexy. The method is non-invasive, quantitative and independent of the patient. The study covers 18 patients in whom the closure was performed after fixation of the vocal in whom it was performed prior to the operation. The arterial oxygen saturation was measured during closure using a beat-to-beat pulse oximeter and compared with the open tracheostomy, with the closed tracheostomy at rest and under stress, and finally with the closed tracheostomy in the recovery phase. The effort was continued for 5 minutes or until the patient complained of shortness of breath (3 patients). Initially the O2 saturation in these patients did not drop below 90%, but respiratory dependent saturation variations were noted. During the recovery phase, the saturation fell below 90%. The subjective declaration of "asphyxia" always preceded the variations in the O2 saturation. From this, and from the O2 saturation curves, we conclude that the cause for the reopening of the tracheostomy comes more from a circulatory problem that from hypoxemia.