Effect of general anesthesia and major versus minor surgery on late postoperative episodic and constant hypoxemia.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the relative contribution of general anesthesia alone and in combination with the surgical procedure to the pathogenesis of late postoperative hypoxemia.


METHODS
Open, controlled study.


METHODS
University hospital.


METHODS
60 patients undergoing major abdominal surgery and 16 patients undergoing middle ear surgery, both with comparable general anesthesia.


RESULTS
Patients were monitored with continuous pulse oximetry on one preoperative night and the second postoperative night. Significant episodic or constant hypoxemia did not occur on the second postoperative night following middle ear surgery and general anesthesia, but severe episodic and constant hypoxemia did occur on the second postoperative after major abdominal surgery and general anesthesia.


CONCLUSIONS
General anesthesia in itself is not an important factor in the development of late postoperative constant and episodic hypoxemia, which instead may be related to the magnitude of trauma and/or opioid administration.
Rosenberg
J
J
Department of Surgical Gastroenterology, Hvidovre University Hospital, Denmark.
Oturai
P
P
Erichsen
C J
CJ
Pedersen
M H
MH
Kehlet
H
H
D000005:Abdomen / Q000601:surgery; D000768:Anesthesia, General / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004432:Ear, Middle / Q000601:surgery; D005283:Fentanyl / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000209:etiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013511:Minor Surgical Procedures; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D009020:Morphine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010092:Oximetry; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013997:Time Factors
D009020:Morphine; D010100:Oxygen; D005283:Fentanyl