| pubmed-article:7168283 | pubmed:abstractText | 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. | lld:pubmed |
