Table 1 Possible mechanisms of postoperative hypoxemia
From: Oxygen administration for postoperative surgical patients: a narrative review
Mechanism | Factors involved |
|---|---|
Atelectasis | Direct compression of the lungs during operation, Incomplete lung re-expansion, Reduced chest wall and diaphragmatic movement due to surgical injury or pain |
Alveolar hypoventilation | Depressed level of consciousness due to residual effect of anesthetic drugs, Postoperative opioids |
Impaired upper airway patency | Residual effect of neuromuscular blocking agents, opioids, volatile anesthetics, or other agents with sedative properties, Airway tissue edema |
Increased oxygen consumption | Shivering, Fever, Systemic inflammatory response |