Publication:

Study of post-operative pulmonary complications in patients of emergency abdominal surgeries

Background Post-operative Pulmonary Complications (PPCs) form a significant chunk of post-operative morbidity. Their incidence varies from 2.7-23% in multiple studies. Pre-disposing factors can be divided as: pt. related: >60yrs, ASA class≥2 and COPD; procedure related: long surgeries (≥3hrs), emergency surgeries. Till now, most of the studies have focused on elective surgeries. In this study, I have studied morbidity and risk factors of PPCs in emergency abdominal surgeries.

Methods It is a retrospective case control study, carried out in 50 patients in M.B. Government Hospital, Udaipur over 1 year. Cases comprised of those patients who underwent emergency laparotomy and developed PPCs. Controls were selected from group who didn’t develop PPC.

Results Incidence of PPCs in emergency abdominal surgeries was found to be 2.9%. Elderly patients had more chances of developing PPCs. Smoking was found to be twice as common in case group. Those who quit smoking ≥1 year before surgery benefitted the most. Pre-OP chest x-ray abnormalities were 3 times more common in case group. Upper abdomen surgeries were 20% more common in Case group. Surgeries lasting for ≥ 3 hours had increased chances of PPCs. Total hospital stay was 21.7 days in cases (12.5 in control), total ICU stay was 8.5 days (1.4). 28% of the PPCs patients could not be saved.

Conclusions Pre-operative chest examination, cheat x-ray and regular SpO2 monitoring helps in diagnosing PPCs earlier. Early mobilization and deep breathing exercises should be encouraged.