Objective: To observe the effects of different oxygen inhalation methods on the changes of vital signs in
adult patients undergoing phacoemulsification under topical anesthesia, and to explore the appropriate
oxygen inhalation methods in phacoemulsification. Methods: A total of 291 patients who underwent
phacoemulsification for cataract extraction in Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University from April 2020 to September 2020 were randomly divided into 3 groups: the simple mask oxygen inhalation group
(n=97), the nasal catheter oxygen inhalation group (n=97), and the oxygen-free group (n=97). The oxygen
flow of the mask group and the nasal catheter group was 2–4 L/min. Blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen
saturation (SpO2) were monitored at entry into the operating room (T0), at the beginning of surgery (T1),
and at the end of surgery (T2). Results: There was no significant difference in vital signs among the 3 groups
when entering the operating room, and no significant change in intraoperative blood pressure among the 3
groups (P>0.05). At T2, the blood oxygen saturation of patients with oxygen inhalation was higher than that of
the oxygen-free group (P<0.05), but within the normal range. Conclusion: For cataract phacoemulsification
patients under topical anesthesia without serious comorbidities, appropriate oxygen inhalation and monitoring
hemodynamics can increase the comfort and safety of patients, and oxygen inhalation should be used without
affecting surgery manipulation and comfort of patient.