This study was conducted to investigate the effects of the suction-induced hypoxemia interventions.

30 suction-induced hypoxemia interventions were reviewed for the purpose of meta-analysis.

The study showed that both preoxygenation and insufflation were the most frequently examined oxygenation time periods, and hyperoxygenation combined with hyperinflation was the most commonly applied oxygenation method in order to prevent suction-induced hypoxemia. The greatest effect was obtained by providing oxygenation before and after suctioning, whereas negative effect(the contrary results from the study hypotheses) was frequently obtained by applying insufflation only. Applying hyperoxygenation combined with hyperinflation had the greatest effect over that of applying hyperoxygenation only, even though the difference between effect sizes of both methods were statistically significant.

The results of meta-analysis showed that the occurrence rate of hypoxemia after suctioning was significantly reduced with the overall interventions for hypoxemia (decreasing 40% of occurrence rate), independent with time periods or methods for providing oxygenation.