Postoperative hypoxaemia during transport and in the recovery area.

This study was undertaken to ascertain the incidence of postoperative hypoxaemia in the recovery area and during transfer to the recovery area while adhering to the current practice of anaesthesia and recovery room care. Attempts were also made to determine some of the risk factors for the development of hypoxaemia. There were 546 patients who had general or regional anaesthesia observed in the recovery area and of these, 534 patients were also observed during transfer using Critikon Oxyshuttle pulse oximeters. The incidence of hypoxaemia (SpO2 < or = 90%) and severe hypoxaemia (SpO2 < or = 85%) during transfer were 10.11% and 2.06% respectively. The incidence of hypoxaemia and severe hypoxaemia in the recovery area were 8.42% and 2.2% respectively. No oxygen was given to patients during transfer. In the recovery area, 322 patients (58.97%) had oxygen therapy and 224 patients (41.03%) did not. The occurrence of hypoxaemia during transfer was significantly related to the duration of surgery. In the recovery area, age and weight were found to be statistically significant risk factors. The incidence of hypoxaemia in this study is much lower than that reported in other studies.