Post-operative Pulmonary Complications in Elderly Patients Undergoimg Elective Open Upper Abdominal Surgery under General Anaesthesia

Background: Postoperative pulmonary complications are an important factor responsible for the mortality and morbidity in the post-operative period after surgery and may also increase the length of stay in the hospital. Objectives: To find out the incidence of pulmonary complications post-operatively among elderly patients after elective open upper abdominal surgery under general anaesthesia and to study the effect of preexisting respiratory ailments on post-operative pulmonary complications.Methodology: This was a hospital based cross-sectional study conducted in the department of anaesthesiology, GMC Srinagar.Results: Postoperatively, 49% of the patients had SPO2 less than 94% while on auscultation, there was decreased air entry in about 42% of the patients.On chest X-Ray, the major finding was collapse in 15% of the patients postoperatively.The respiratory rate was increased in 28% of the patients.In total, about 55% of the patients had post-operative pulmonary complications.The presence of preoperative pulmonary complications was associated with the development of respiratory complications in the post-operative period (p<0.001).Conclusion: The presence of preoperative respiratory symptoms was the most important risk factor for the development of postoperative pulmonary complications.