ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and associated factors for postoperative pulmonary complications [PPCs] and extubation failure in patients having undergone intracranial surgery. In this retrospective study done in Firozgar Hospital during 2008-2010, we followed up 254 patients through a clinical questionnaire and observation of the clinical course of participants in pre- and post-operative periods. Overall, 40 [15.74%] patients had postoperative pulmonary complications. The most common PPC was pneumonia, which was seen in 24 patients [60% of complications]. The average duration of ventilation in patients with PPC was significantly higher [16.8. +/- 10 vs. 5.09 +/- 4.5 days; P=0.001] than patients without the complication. The mean Glasgow coma scale [GCS] after surgery in patients with PPC was significantly lower [11. +/- 4 vs. 13.2 +/- 3; P=0.001] than the rest of the patients. Moreover, the mean age of patients with PPC was significantly higher [64.02 +/- 14 vs. 41.6. +/- 17 years; P=0.001]. Average duration of stay in ICU in patients with PPC was also higher [24. +/- 27 vs. 8.7 +/- 0.5; P=0.001]. GCS before surgery and failed extubation independently of other variables were significantly associated with pulmonary complications independent of other variables