The occurrence of pulmonary complications following surgery is prevalent among adult individuals. Our investigation delved into identifying the risk factors associated with lower respiratory tract infections subsequent to general anaesthesia in older patients. In this retrospective study, we enrolled adult patients who had undergone surgery with general anaesthesia. Employing logistic regression analyses, we aimed to discern the risk factors contributing to lower respiratory tract infections. The study encompassed a total of 456 postoperative patients who underwent general anesthesia, revealing an incidence of lower respiratory tract infection at 9.33%. Gram‐positive bacteria accounted for ten cases, gramnegative bacteria for 26 cases and fungus for two cases. Significantly divergent variables included age, smoking habits, diabetes status the mode of tracheal intubation (oral/nasal) and the duration of surgery. Logistic regression analysis underscored that age above 70 years, diabetes, nasotracheal intubation and a surgical duration exceeding 3 hrs were identified as independent risk factors for lower respiratory tract infections. Older patients undergoing general anesthesia with tracheal intubation face an elevated risk of lower respiratory tract infections. It is imperative to implement clinical interventions aimed at preventing pulmonary infections in individuals exhibiting these pertinent risk factors. Respiratory tract infections, general anesthesia, pneumonia, diabetes Mellitus.
Sarfraj Ahmad, Pragati Saxena, Poorva Parihar and Nikita Baser. Determinants of Lower Respiratory Infections in Adults Following General Anaesthesia: A Cross‐
Sectional Study.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36478/10.59218/makrjms.2023.12.214.218
URL: https://www.makhillpublications.co/view-article/1815-9346/10.59218/makrjms.2023.12.214.218