THE EFFECT OF POSTURE ON LATE POSTOPERATIVE OXYGENATION

Twelve patients had their arterial oxygen saturation measured pre-oper atively and on days 1, 4 and 7 after laparotomy. Measurements were per formed in the supine, sitting and standing positions on each clay. Art erial oxygen saturation was significantly higher during sitting and st anding on days 1 and 4 after operation compared with the supine positi on (p < 0.05). These results give further evidence for the benefits of patient mobilisation after major surgery.