CHANGES IN OXYGEN-SATURATION IN THE 72 HOURS AFTER HIP-SURGERY - THE EFFECT OF OXYGEN-THERAPY

The aim of this study was to investigate changes in oxygen saturation (SpO(2)) occurring during the three days following hip surgery in pati ents in this hospital and to determine to what extent SpO(2) might be improved by oxygen therapy for 24 or 72 hours. Eighty-three patients ( aged 43-96 years) scheduled for elective fetal hip replacement or emer gency surgery for hip fractures were studied. Forty-four patients had 24 hour postoperative oxygen prescribed by their anaesthetist or surge on; we randomized these to either continue oxygen for a total of three days (Group 1) or to discontinue oxygen after Day 1 (Group 2). Patien ts not prescribed oxygen by the surgeon or anaesthetist (n=39) were ra ndomly assigned either to receive oxygen for three days (Group 3) or n ot to receive oxygen (Group 4). Oxygen was administered through nasal cannulae at a flow of 2 l.min(-1). SpO(2) was measured every 10 second s for three days and stored on computer disc. Percentage of time spent with SpO(2) below 90% was used as an idex of desaturation. Patients r eceiving oxygen had significantly improved SpO(2). In patients not rec eiving oxygen, desaturation was most severe on Days 1 and 2, improving somewhat on Day 3. On Day 2 desaturation was similar in Groups 2 and 4. When oxygen was not being administered males were significantly mor e desaturated than females. Our investigations indicate that following hip surgery poor saturation continues for at least two days and can b e improved by oxygen therapy.