Title: Post-operative Pulmonary Complications in Elderly Patients Undergoing Elective Open Upper Abdominal Surgery under General Anaesthesia
Authors: Mohamad Azhar Gilani, Shahina Parveen, Syed Najmul Ain, Zahoor Ahmad Bhat, Ubaidullah Gul Salmani, Rashid Javaid Fazili
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v6i11.50
Abstract
Background: Postoperative pulmonary complications are an important factor responsible for the mortality and morbidity in the post-operative period after surgery and may also increase the length of stay in the hospital.
Objectives: To find out the incidence of pulmonary complications post-operatively among elderly patients after elective open upper abdominal surgery under general anaesthesia and to study the effect of pre-existing respiratory ailments on post-operative pulmonary complications.
Methodology: This was a hospital based cross-sectional study conducted in the department of anaesthesiology, GMC Srinagar.
Results: Postoperatively, 49% of the patients had SPO2 less than 94% while on auscultation, there was decreased air entry in about 42% of the patients. On chest X-Ray, the major finding was collapse in 15% of the patients postoperatively. The respiratory rate was increased in 28% of the patients.
In total, about 55% of the patients had post-operative pulmonary complications. The presence of pre-operative pulmonary complications was associated with the development of respiratory complications in the post-operative period (p<0.001).
Conclusion: The presence of preoperative respiratory symptoms was the most important risk factor for the development of postoperative pulmonary complications.
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