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BMC Anesthesiology

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Open Access 01-12-2020 | Computed Tomography | Research article

Feasibility and efficacy of lung ultrasound to investigate pulmonary complications in patients who developed postoperative Hypoxaemia-a prospective study

Authors: Chen Xie, Kai Sun, Yueyang You, Yue Ming, Xiaoling Yu, Lina Yu, Jiapeng Huang, Min Yan

Published in: BMC Anesthesiology | Issue 1/2020

Abstract

Background

Postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) and hypoxaemia are associated with morbidity and mortality. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of lung ultrasound (LUS) to diagnose PPCs in patients suffering from hypoxaemia after general anaesthesia and compare the results to those of thoracic computed tomography (CT).

Methods

Adult patients who received general anaesthesia and suffered from hypoxaemia in the postanaesthesia care unit (PACU) were analysed. Hypoxaemia was defined as an oxygen saturation measured by pulse oximetry (SPO₂) less than 92% for more than 30 s under ambient air conditions. LUS was performed by two trained anaesthesiologists once hypoxaemia occurred. After LUS examination, each patient was transported to the radiology department for thoracic CT scan within 1 h before returning to the ward.

Results

From January 2019 to May 2019, 113 patients (61 men) undergoing abdominal surgery (45 patients, 39.8%), video-assisted thoracic surgery (31 patients, 27.4%), major orthopaedic surgery (17 patients, 15.0%), neurosurgery (10 patients, 8.8%) or other surgery (10 patients, 8.8%) were included. CT diagnosed 327 of 1356 lung zones as atelectasis, while LUS revealed atelectasis in 311 of the CT-confirmed zones. Pneumothorax was detected by CT scan in 75 quadrants, 72 of which were detected by LUS. Pleural effusion was diagnosed in 144 zones on CT scan, and LUS detected 131 of these zones. LUS was reliable in diagnosing atelectasis (sensitivity 98.0%, specificity 96.7% and diagnostic accuracy 97.2%), pneumothorax (sensitivity 90.0%, specificity 98.9% and diagnostic accuracy 96.7%) and pleural effusion (sensitivity 92.9%, specificity 96.0% and diagnostic accuracy 95.1%).

Conclusions

Lung ultrasound is feasible, efficient and accurate in diagnosing different aetiologies of postoperative hypoxia in healthy-weight patients in the PACU.

Trial registration

Current Controlled Trials NCT03802175, 2018/12/05, www.ClinicalTrials.gov

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Title: Feasibility and efficacy of lung ultrasound to investigate pulmonary complications in patients who developed postoperative Hypoxaemia-a prospective study
Authors: Chen Xie
Kai Sun
Yueyang You
Yue Ming
Xiaoling Yu
Lina Yu
Jiapeng Huang
Min Yan
Publication date: 01-12-2020
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: Computed Tomography
Pneumothorax
Computed Tomography
Pleural Effusion
Pneumothorax
Pneumothorax
Hypoxemia
Lung Ultrasound
Published in: BMC Anesthesiology / Issue 1/2020
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2253
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12871-020-01123-6

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Feasibility and efficacy of lung ultrasound to investigate pulmonary complications in patients who developed postoperative Hypoxaemia-a prospective study

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Trial registration

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Trial registration

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