Comparative Analysis of Pre and Postoperative Pulmonary Function in Geriatric Patients

Moon, Yi Sub; Baik, Seong Wan; Kim, Inn Se; Chung, Kyoo Sub

Abstract

The purpose of this clinical study was to evaluate the postoperative pulmonary function and ventilatory reserve in patients over 60 years of age. The author analysed 40 anesthetic patients who underwent abdominal surgery at the Department of Anesthesiology of Pusan National Universtiy Hospital from Mach 1, 1987 through July 31, 1988. Only those patients who have had normal or nearly normal cardiopulmonary function were selected and those who developed postoperative pulmonary complications were excluded from the study. The results were as follows: 1) On the first postoperative day, the FVC of the upper abdominal surgery group was 44% of the preoperative value, 2.84+/-0.68 1/sec, and that of the lower abdominal surgery group was 64% of the preoperative value, 2.84+/-0.36 1/sec, (p<0.001). 2) On the first postoperative day, the FEVI of the upper abdominal surgery group was 37% of the preoperative value, 2.24+/-0.64 1/sec, and that of the lower abdominal surgery group was 51% of the preoperative value, 2.43+/-0.31 1/sec, (p<0..01). 3) On the first postoperative day, the MMEF of the upper abdominal surgery group was 55% of the preoperative value, 2.50+/-0.36 1/sec, and that of the lower abdominal surgery group was 75% of the preoperative value, 2.55+/-0.71 1/sec, (p<0.001). 4) The preoperative FEVI/FVC ratio of the upper abdominal surgery group was 79%, and that of the lower abdominal surgery group was 84%. In the postoperative period, there were no significant differences between the upper and lower abdominal surgery group. 5) In the upper and lower abdominal surgery group, postoperative pH and PaCO2 values were found to be changed insignificantly. 6) In the upper and lower abdominal surgery groups, postoperative PaO2 values were found to be decreased significantly(p<0.05).