The risk factors of postoperative pulmonary complications in abdominal surgery with laparotomy

Ioana Grigoraş
Clinica Anestezie-Terapie Intensivă, Spitalul Universitar de Urgenţă „Sf. Spiridon”, Iaşi

Abstract

Objectives. The aim of this prospective study was to identify the risk factors of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPC) and to rank the risk of PPC in surgical patients with laparotomy.

Method. The study group included 87 patients consecutively admitted to ICU after elective or emergency surgical procedures with laparatomy. Three types of medical forms were completed: a standard form with 42 variables for every patient and 2 additional forms, one for patients with PPC, one for patients with ventilatory support.

Results. 24 patients (27,5%) developed PPC. The univariate analysis identified 10 risk factors for PPC. The multivariate analysis identified as independent risk factors for PPC: upper abdominal surgery, major visceral surgery, long term bedridden patients and preoperative pulmonary pathology. We defined a risk score with 10 variables. Each variable was assigned with different values according to its capacity to increase the risk of PPC. A score of 0-6 points identified the patients with moderate risk of PPC (PPC frequency <15%), a score of 7-12 points – high risk (PPC frequency <40%), a score of 13-18 points – very high risk (PPC frequency >50%).

Key words: postoperative pulmonary complications, laparotomy, risk factors

Factorii de risc ai complicaţiilor pulmonare postoperatorii în chirurgia abdominală cu laparotomie

Jurnalul Român de Anestezie Terapie intensivă 2004 Vol.11 Nr.2, 103-110