Clinical profile of patients undergoing laparotomy at a tertiary care hospital

Postoperative fever, wound infection, nausea and vomiting are the most commonly encountered complications but postoperative pulmonary complications (PPC’c) contribute significantly to overall perioperative mortality and morbidity. Post-operative pulmonary complications (PPC’s) are commonly understood as failure to wean from mechanical ventilation within 48 hours of surgery or unplanned intubation / re-intubation postoperatively. Detailed clinical history about co-morbid factors like diabetes, Hypertension, Coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular accident, pulmonary disease, and Kidney disease is taken. Clinical examination include recording of vitals, Respiratory system, cardiovascular system, Central nervous system and GIT. Pulmonary complications seen in 44 patients of which 4 patients was found to have hemo/pneumothorax, Cardiac co-morbidities was found in 47 patients, signs of acute abdomen found in 90 patients and features of abdominal mass in 67 patients. Of the 47 patients with cardiac comorbidities 33 patients were NYHA grade II and 4 patients with NYHA grade III.