Determination of the effect of operative site on early post operative hypoxemia

Abstract Background: Prevention of hypoxemia and adequate oxygentherapy in early post operative period is very important. Objectives: To determine the effect of operative site on early postoperative hypoxemia in adults scheduled for elective surgery. Methods: In a cross sectional study in Tehran Shariati hospital during 2000 and 2001, 600 patients(20-60ys) scheduled for elective surgery were divided into 3 groups, peripheral surgery group, lower abdominal surgery group, thorasic or upper abdominal surgery group. At the end of operation, patients were transferred to recovery room and their spo2 were measured at zero,5th,10th,20th,30th minutes of recovery by pulse oximeter. Data were evaluated by SPSS software. Findings: Severity of oxygen desaturation and early post operative hypoxemia after thoracoabdominal, lower abdomen and peripheral surgery were 75%,34.4% and 20.4% respectively (p<0.05). Conclusion: Severity of arterial desaturation and hypoxemia in early post operative period are closely related to surgical sites and are strongest for thoracoabdominal , less for lower abdominal and least for peripheral surgery. It suggests that respiratory monitoring and oxygen therapy is necessary during early post operative period in all patients especially after thorasic and upper abdominal surgery.