Using a Preoperative Exercise Test to Predict Postanesthesia Care Unit Admission in Patients Undergoing Bariatric Surgery

Abstract

Background: Morbidly obese patients are prone to postoperative respiratory complications, which may result in their admission to the postanesthesia care unit (PACU). In this study, we evaluated how well the 60 m in 60 s walk test predicted the extubation outcomes of morbidly obese patients undergoing laparoscopic bariatric surgery and their need for admission to the PACU. Methods: Two hundred morbidly obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery took the 60 m in 60 s walk test before surgery. Their forced expiratory volume (FEV) values, PaO2 levels, and hemodynamic parameters were measured before and after the walk test and after surgery. Results: Preoperative pre-exercise FEV values were significantly lower compared to postexercise values in patients who were not admitted to PACU (p < 0.001). Preoperative postexercise FEV values were significantly lower compared to pre-exercise values in patients who were admitted to PACU (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The 60 m in 60 s walk test can predict extubation outcomes of morbidly obese patients undergoing laparoscopic bariatric surgery and their need for admission to PACU.