The effect of posture on late postoperative oxygenation

• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2044.1996.tb13637.x
• Publication Date: 2007-02-23T12:36:03Z
• Authors: T. MYNSTER; L. M. JENSEN; F. G. JENSEN; H. KEHLET; J. ROSENBERG
• Keywords: Adult; Male; Movement; Partial Pressure; Posture; Middle Aged; Oxygen; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Abdomen; Respiratory Mechanics; Supine Position; Humans; Female; Postoperative Period; Aged

SummaryTwelve patients had their arterial oxygen saturation measured pre‐operatively and on days 1, 4 and 7 after laparotomy. Measurements were performed in the supine, sitting and standing positions on each day. Arterial oxygen saturation was significantly higher during sitting and standing on days 1 and 4 after operation compared with the supine position (p < 0.05). These results give further evidence for the benefits of patient mobilisation after major surgery.