An Assessment Of Postanaesthetic Morbidity In Day-Case Surgical Patients In Enugu, Nigeria

Abstract

Aim: To examine the incidence of post-anaesthetic morbidity in day-case surgical patients in Enugu, Nigeria. The study was undertaken to assess what happened to patients when they left hospital after day-case surgery under general anaesthesia.
Materials And Method: A total of 120 outpatients who received general anaesthesia for minor surgical and diagnostic procedures at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu from January 1, 2000 to June 30, 2000 were studied. Before discharge, outpatient questionnaires were distributed to the patients to fill and return to the outpatient clinics a week after operation.
Results: Thirty-six (30%) of patients travelled home unaccompanied by a responsible person. Seventy percent of care owners drove within 24 hours of the operation. Fifty persons hail symptoms. Postoperative symptoms of drowsiness (25%), headache (20%), Nausea (20%), vomiting (15%), dizziness (10%), and sorethroat (5%) were recorded. A higher incidence of symptoms was recorded when surgery exceeded 20 minutes. There was no major morbidity.
Conclusion: The study showed that there was a high incidence (42%) of minor morbidity after general anaesthesia for minor day-case surgical procedures. It is therefore, recommended that outpatients should adhere strictly to preoperative instructions.


Keywords: Postanaesthesia morbidity, day-case surger

Tropical Journal of Medical Research Vol. 10 (2) 2006: pp. 9-12