A Comparative Study of Early Postoperative Hypoxemia in Infants, Children, and Adults Undergoing Elective Plastic Surgery

To determine the influence of age on postoperative hypoxemia, we studied postoperative hypoxemia in 1152 patients, from infants to adults, ASA physical status I, undergoing elective plastic surgery.Subjects were divided into four groups on the basis of ageGroup 1, infants aged 1 yr or less (n = 108); Group 2, children aged 1-3 yr (n = 240); Group 3, children aged 3-14 yr (n = 482); and Group 4, adults aged 14-58 yr (n = 322). Arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) levels were recorded while patients were breathing room air in the postanesthesia recovery room shortly after arrival (0 min), and 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 120, and 180 min thereafter. Younger patients showed lower SpO2 levels and a higher incidence of hypoxemia during the early postoperative period. The incidences of hypoxemia (SpO2 = 86%-90%) and severe hypoxemia (SpO2