Summary
A PROSPECTIVE study was designed to investigate the relationship between post-operative hypoxaemia and duration of anaesthesia. The Po2 was monitored pre-operatively, 4 hours postoperatively, and daily thereafter for 2 days in 33 female patients undergoing elective biliary tract surgery. A significantly greater fall in Po2 occurred in these patients who had prolonged anaesthetics suggesting that this group of patients should be carefully monitored during the post-operative period and oxygen administered if necessary.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Alexander, J. I., Spence, A. A., Parikh, R. K. and Stuart, B. 1973. The role of airway closure in post-operative hypoxaemia. Br. J. Anaesth. 45, 34–40.
Conway, M. and Payne, J. P. 1963. Post-operative hypoxaemia and oxygen therapy. Br. Med. J. 12, 844–845.
Diament, M. L. and Palmer, K. N. V. 1966. Postoperative changes in gas tensions of arterial blood and in ventilatory function. Lancet ii, 180–182.
Diament, M. L. and Palmer, K. N. V. 1967. Venous arterial pulmonary shunting as the principal cause of post-operative hypoxaemia. Lancet i, 15–17.
Editorial. 1971. Post-operative hypoxaemia. Br. J. Anaesth. 43, 299.
Hansen, G., Drablos, P. A. and Steinert, R. 1977. Pulmonary complications, ventilation and blood gases after upper abdominal surgery. Acta Anaesth. Scand. 21, 211–215.
Hewlett, A. M. and Branthwaite, M. A. 1975. Postoperative pulmonary function. Br. J. Anaesth. 47, 102–107.
Hewlett, A. M., Hulands, G. H., Nunn, J. F. and Heath, J. R. 1974. Functional residual capacity during anaesthesia; 11: Spontaneous respiration. Br. J. Anaesth. 46, 486–494.
Hewlett, A. M., Hulands, G. H., Nunn, J. F. and Milledge, J. S. 1974. Functional residual capacity during anaesthesia; III: Artificial ventilation. Br. J. Anaesth. 46, 495–503.
Hickey, R. F., Visick, W. D., Fairley, H. B. and Fourcade, H. F. 1973. Effects of Halothane anaesthesia on functional residual capacity and alveolar-arterial oxygen tension difference. Anaesthesiology 38, 20.
Knudsen, J. 1970. Duration of hypoxaemia after uncomplicated upper abdominal and thoracoabdominal operations. Anaesthesia 25, 372–377.
Lancet. 1966. Post-operative hypoxaemia. ii, 209–210.
Lancet. 1977. Post-operative atelectasis, ii, 965–966.
Latimer, R. G., Dickman, M., Day, C. W., Gunn, M. L. and Schmidt, C. 1971. Ventilatory patterns and pulmonary complications after upper abdominal surgery determined by pre-operative and post-operative computerized spirometry and blood gas analysis. Am. J. Surg. 122, 622–632.
Marshall, B. E. and Miller, R. A. 1965. Some factors influencing post-operative hypoxaemia. Anaesthesia 29, 408–428.
Medical Research Council. 1962. Instructions for the use of Short Questionnaire on Respiratory Symptoms.
Nunn, J. F. and Payne, J. P. 1962. Hypoxaemia after general anaesthesia. Lancet ii, 631–632.
Palmer, K. N. V. and Gardiner, A. J. S. 1964. Effect of partial gastrectomy on pulmonary physiology. Br. Med. J. i, 347–350.
Parfrey, P. S., Harte, P. J., Quinlan, J. P.et al. 1977a. Pulmonary function during the early post-operative period. Br. J. Surg. 64, 384–389.
Pattle, R. E., Schock, C. and Battensby, J. 1972. Some effects of anaesthetics on lung surfactant. Br. J. Anaesth. 44, 1119–1127.
Raine, J. M. and Bishop, J. M. 1963. A-a difference in 02 tension and physiological deadspace in normal man. J. Appi. Physiol. 18, 284.
Schlenker, J. C. and Hubay, C. A. 1973. The pathogenesis if post-operative atelectasis. Arch. Surg. 107, 845–850.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Harte, P.J., Courtney, D.F., O’Sullivan, E.G. et al. Duration of anaesthesia and post-operative hypoxaemia. Ir J Med Sci 151, 169–174 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02940173
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02940173