The clinical significance of postoperative chest X-ray abnormalities, arterial hypoxemia and clinically recorded respiratory complications.

The clinical consequences of postoperative complications as defined by signs and symptoms, chest radiography and measurements of the arterial oxygen tension were studied in 53 men, aged 40-75, who were electively operated for peptic ulcer or gallbladder disease. Clinical signs of a respiratory complication were detected in 4 patients. Of the 28 patients with chest X-ray abnormalities and 23 with arterial hypoxemia only 2 had clinical signs of a disordered pulmonary function. None of the remaining patients with arterial hypoxemia and/or chest X-ray abnormalities required any specific treatment. Hospital stay was not prolonged in patients with respiratory complications. Arterial hypoxemia and chest X-ray abnormalities in patients without clinical signs of a disordered pulmonary function had no influence on postoperative course or rehabilitation and were in all cases reversible without treatment.