Survey of factors associated with hypoxemia in patients with different ages during postaneshtesia care span

[Objective] To analyze the factors associated with hypoxemia in PACU by continuous monitor SpO2 in patients after general anesthesia. [Methods] 1 217 patients with 40 days to 82 years old following general anesthesia in PACU divided into three groups: adults group(Group A, 15~64 years old), n =781, geriatric group (Group G, age≥65 years old), n =109, and pediatric group (Group P, age≤14 years old), n =327. Hypoxemia (SpO2 less than or equal to 90.00% for greater than or equal to 15 sec), severe hypoxemia (SpO2 less than or equal to 90.00% for greater than or equal to 2 min or SpO2 less than or equal to 85.00%), respiratory frequency, respiratory type and respiratory range were observed in patients in PACU. [Results] There were 122 patients suffered from hypoxemia during recovery. The total incidence of hypoxemia was 10.02%. The incidence of hypoxemia in Group G (22.90%) was the highest in three groups(compared with other two groups P 0.05 or P 0.01). [Conclusion] At least one hypoxemia occurred in more than 10.00% patients after general anesthesia. The incidence of hypoxemia is the highest in the elderly patients. It is important to prevent hypoxemia after general anesthesia via intensive care for respiratory.