Postoperative pulmonary complications — a prospective study in the tropics

Abstract

Abstract A prospective study over a 4-month period in 663 patients operated on under general anaesthesia yielded 66 postoperative pulmonary complications (tracheobronchitis 29, atelectasis 10, pneumonia 21, pleurisy 6). An increased incidence occurred after abdominal surgery, especially emergency upper abdominal surgery, in males, tobacco smokers and patients over 40 years of age. Chronic respiratory disease is common and an important factor in the development of postoperative pulmonary complications in the tropics. The large proportion of underweight patients are also at greater risk of developing these complications.