I.V. doxapram hydrochloride and pulmonary complications after lower abdominal surgery.

An i.v. solution of 0.9% saline or 0.9% saline with doxapram 2 mg/ml was administered to 260 obstetric and gynaecological patients who breathed 35% oxygen following lower abdominal surgery. Arterial blood was sampled before and during the infusion in 104 subjects. With the administration of doxapram mean PaCO2 decreased, and arterial oxygenation improved. In both treatment groups respiratory complications occurred with the same low frequency (less than 15%). The majority of patients received antibiotics following surgery, but in 34 who did not, the incidence of pulmonary complications was significantly less following doxapram.