Clinical study on the effect of different antalgic modes on postoperative arterial oxygenation in elderly patients / 中华老年医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To observe the degree of arterial oxygenation and the incidence of hypoxaemia by different antalgic modes in elderly patients postoperatively, and to investigate the way of prophylaxis and treatment. Methods Sixty elderly patients by different postoperative antalgic modes were randomly divided into three groups with 20 in each: patient-controlled epidural analgesia group, continuously intravenous infusion analgesia group and intramuscular injection analgesia group. The oxygen saturation was monitored during 24 hours and the arterial blood gases were measured immediately before and 4, 24 and 48 hour after operation. Results The rates of hypoxaemia occurring once or more in patient-controlled epidural analgesia group, continuously intravenous infusion analgesia group and intramuscular injection analgesia group were 21%, 36% and 32% respectively . There were no significant differences in PaO 2 (arterial PO 2) and PaCO 2 (arterial PCO 2) between postoperative 48 hour and immediately before operation in patient-controlled epidural analgesia group. PaO 2 and PaCO 2 at 4 and 24 hour after operation were significantly lower than those immediately before operation, and all were over 70 mmHg. Conclusions Patient-controlled epidural analgesia may improve the degree of arterial oxygenation and lower the incidence of hypoxaemia after operation in elderly patients.