Articles: postoperative-complications.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Efficiency of two variable performance techniques of oxygen therapy in relieving postoperative hypoxaemia.
The efficiency of two patient-dependent, variable performance techniques of oxygen therapy in relieving hypoxaemia after upper abdominal surgery was compared. A high-flow system delivered a humidified mixture of oxygen 2 litre min-1 and air 13 litre min-1 through a cannula inserted into the anterior nares. ⋯ With the patients breathing room air, arterial hypoxaemia could be demonstrated with Pao2 inversely related to age. The increase of Pao2 during either oxygen treatment was significantly greater with the low flow system.
-
Brachial plexus injuries are annoyingly common after median sternotomies and vary from those causing minor symptoms to those producing major disability. We compared two groups of patients operated upon with the arms either abducted to a 90 degree angle or at the sides and found no difference in the incidence of brachial plexus injury. ⋯ A concomitant autopsy study demonstrated fractured first ribs penetrating the brachial plexus in 11 of 15 patients whose sternum was opened with the sternal retractor placed in the usual location, but in none in 15 patients whose sternum was opened with the retractor displaced two intercostal spaces caudally. The injury can be minimized by opening the sternal retractor as little as is necessary and by placing it as caudally as possible commensurate with adequate exposure.
-
Comparative Study
Incentive spirometry: its value after cardiac surgery.
Treatment with intermittent positive pressure breathing (IPPB) and incentive spirometry (I. S.) was compared in 109 patients after heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. Assessment was done by measurement of vital capacity, arterial oxygen tension and identification of the radiological signs of atelectasis. ⋯ P. B., in preventing atelectasis after open-heart surgery. Possibly incentive spirometer treatment given more frequently may be more effective.