Risk factors for postoperative respiratory complications and their predictive value. A study in 40-75 year-old men undergoing elective surgery for peptic ulcer or gallbladder disease.

Age, body weight, smoking, chronic bronchitis and duration of anaesthesia were assessed as risk factors for respiratory complications following surgery for peptic ulcer or gallbladder disease. The studies were made on 53 men aged 40-75 years. All variables were associated with increased postoperative risk of chest X-ray abnormality or arterial hypoxaemia or clinically overt respiratory complications. In the statistical analysis, however, none of the factors proved to be useful as a predictor of postoperative respiratory complications. The observed high frequencies of X-ray abnormalities (54%) and arterial hypoxaemia (43%) after operation indicate potential dangers. They may be reduced by cessation of smoking before the operation and reduction of weight.