Investigating the prevalence of oxygen desaturation in post-anesthesia care unit and preoperative predicting factors

Abstract

Background: We aimed to investigate preoperative factors tend to decrease in oxygen saturation in postanesthesia care unit (PACU). Methods: This observational study evaluated 500 patients before operation for age, gender, weight, neck circumference, smoking, addiction, underlying diseases, hemoglobin level, vital signs, and oxygen saturation. After operation, patients were divided into two groups of those experienced oxygen desaturation and those did not experience this situation. All above-mentioned variables were compared between the two groups. Findings: The prevalence of patients with oxygen desaturation was 10; while 89 did not experience this condition and 1 was unkown for oxygen saturation. There were significant differences between the two groups in age (P = 0.004), weight (P = 0.024), neck circumference (P = 0.002), systolic blood pressure (P = 0.026), peripheral and central temperature (P = 0.037), smoking (P = 0.004), diabetes (P = 0.030), hypertension (P = 0.006), respiratory disease (P = 0.020), and preoperative oxygen saturation (P = 0.037). Conclusion: By evaluating predictive factors, oxygen desaturation can be predictable. We can improve respiratory complications in post-anesthesia care unit by controlling and monitoring these factors. © 2017, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved.