(2009) Ramos, Gilson Cassem; Pereira, Edisio; Gabriel Neto, Salustiano; Oliveira, Enio Chaves de
Introduction - Operations, particularly those of the upper abdomen, can be accompanied by hypoxemia and restrictive ventilatory
disturbances. The objectives of the present review were: a) to provide a retrospective of spirometric techniques and laboratory assessment of
hypoxemia by means of arterial oxygen pressure; b) to review the main factors responsible for alterations in postoperative pulmonary function.
Methods - A historical overview is given of the main aspects of spirometry and PaO2, measurement, considering these exams as measures of
pulmonary function after abdominal operations. Conclusion - Operations on the upper part of the abdomen may be followed by hypoxemia and
restrictive ventilatory disturbances, whose principal cause is diaphragmatic dysfunction which can be minimized by means of laparoscopy and
effective post-operative pain treatment.