Introduction:

Initially in anesthesia, the doctor relied on his own senses, currently by electronic engineering better measurement of vital functions. The pulse oximeter allows early identification of hypoxemic episodes, by measuring peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2). Multiple factors interfere with its reading, for example nail polishes. In Africa, it is common for women to apply organic enamels of natural henna and Alkanna tinctoria (phudan).

Objective:

To evaluate the influence of ecological nail polish in the measurement of peripheral oxygen saturation in patients undergoing surgery.

Clinical cases:

1) Patient scheduled to perform a total abdominal hysterectomy, with nails painted with henna enamel of a reddish-brown color, when measuring peripheral oxygen saturation, 92% is observed, and when removing the enamel 98% of saturation was observed. 2) A similar situation occurred in a patient with a giant epigastric hernia, nails painted with Alkanna tinctoria red dye, it was monitored (SpO2), 94% were observed. The enamel was removed and 99 % of saturation was observed.

Conclusions:

Ecological nail polishes alter the measurement of peripheral oxygen saturation in patients undergoing surgery, under the conditions that anesthesiology is practiced in this country.