incidence of arterial hypoxemia in the immediate postoperative period during the transfer of surgical patients to the recovery room

ABSTRACT

The incidence rate of hypoxemia in the immediate post-operative Period Was determined using pulse oximeter for continuous minitorring of arterial oxygen satusation [sao2] in 148 ASA class I or II adult patients breathing room air during their transfer from the operating room [O.R.] to the recovery room [R.R.]. These patients were categorized according to the type of operartion into two groups, as the following 72 patients undergone abdominal procedures and 76 patients undergone pelvic and peripheral operations. Hypoxemia was defined as 90% sao2 [arterial oxygen partial pressure -pao2=58 mmhg]. Severe hypoxemia was defined as 85% sao2 [Poao2=50 mmhg]. Hypoxemia occurred in 48 [66.7%] patients of group A, and in 24 [31.58%] patients of group B. The incidence of hypoxemia was significantly higher in group A [patients undergoing abdominal procedures] than in group B [those under-going non-abdominal procedures], Also group A of Patients experienced a significantly higher incidence of severe hypoxemia [25%], than group B of patients [1 3.16%]. Thus the type of operation was a significant predictor of the immediate postoperative hypoxemia. Postoperative hypoxemia also correlates significantly with the patient age and obesity