Respiratory medicine
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Respiratory medicine · Jan 1996
Value of preoperative spirometry to predict postoperative pulmonary complications.
In order to determine the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications (POPC) and the value of preoperative spirometry to predict pulmonary complications after upper abdominal surgery, 24 women and 36 men (total 60 patients) were studied prospectively (mean age 48 center dot 3 years). On the day before the operation and for 15 days after the operation, each patient's respiratory status was assessed by clinical examination, chest radiography, spirometry and blood gas analysis, and patients were monitored for pulmonary complications by a chest physician and a surgeon independently. In this study, postoperative pulmonary complications developed in 21 (35%) patients (pneumonia in 10 patients, bronchitis in nine patients, atelectasis in one patient, pulmonary embolism in one patient). ⋯ We conclude that POPC is still a serious cause of postoperative morbidity. Multiple risk factors include preoperative abnormal spirometry responsible for development of POPC. If used alone, spirometry has limited clinical value as a screening test to predict POPC after upper abdominal surgery.