Contemporary Nursing

Objective To analyze and discuss the risk factors influencing hypoxemia occurrence in elderly patients undergoing surgery after general anesthesia recovery. Methods The study period was from April 2023 to April 2025, with 92 elderly patients recovering from general anesthesia as subjects. Clinical data were retrospectively analyzed, and patients were divided into two groups based on hypoxemia occurrence (group with 39 cases, group without 53 cases). Comparative analysis of risk factors for hypoxemia was conducted. Results Significant differences were observed between the groups in age, ASA grade III, comorbid hypertension, preoperative oxygen saturation <95%, postoperative prone position, postoperative blood transfusion, temperature <36°C upon entering anesthesia recovery room, surgical duration, postoperative fluid volume, and blood loss (P<0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed that age, comorbid hypertension, preoperative oxygen saturation <95%, and temperature <36°C upon entering anesthesia recovery room were significant independent risk factors for hypoxemia in elderly patients after general anesthesia. Conclusion Age, comorbid hypertension, preoperative oxygen saturation <95%, and temperature <36°C upon entering anesthesia recovery room should be prioritized as high-risk factors for hypoxemia in elderly patients after general anesthesia. Early preventive measures should be actively implemented to improve prognosis.

Elderly surgical patients; General anesthesia recovery room; Hypoxemia; Risk factors