Hysterectomy and CPAP

lsyorke, RN · Jun 21, 2005

I've been doing surgical nursing for 20 years and have never heard of using cpap. Oxygen supplementaion isn't a normal part of the recovery process(outside of PACU). Unless there is another underlying condition that would compromise lung function(sleep apnea,copd etc..) o2 should NOT be administered routinely after the initial anesthesia recovery unless there's documented low 02 sat. A reasonably healthy women should do fine after a hysterectomy with early mobilization,incentive spirometry and deep breathing.

zacarias, ASN, RN · Jun 21, 2005

Isyorke,

Thanks for the info. What you say makes sense. I read an article in AJN recently on CPAP for abdominal surgeries. The thing that is weird is they didn't mention that the people wearing CPAP had any comorbidities. Maybe we'll hear more about it in the future. Anyway, thanks for the info!

Fiona59 · Jun 21, 2005

Being a woman who has had the op and having worked on gyne. I've never heard of CPAP for post ops either. Don't even remember being on O2 myself.

Recovery rate is often individual (depends upon how the woman looks upon the removal of her womb). Mine was fairly rapid (I don't tie my female identity up with having a womb), but I also saw the advantages in the surgery (no more prolapsed uterus, no more periods), the ovaries still function so for me it was a positive thing.

live4today, RN · Jun 21, 2005

I had my uterus out at the age of 28. Still have the ovaries and believe me...they've worked just fine all these years. :) Never missed a moodswing.:rotfl:

I do not recall being placed on O2, but then again by the time I REMEMBER waking up after surgery it was "day three". :chuckle (I kid you not!) I don't wake up good after surgeries. Of course, family, visitors, and staff had a lot to say about what I did the three days that escape my memory. :coollook:

When I did wake up enough to remember I was awake, I was walking those hallways like nobody's business. I recovered quite well...and don't miss 'the periods'.

pricklypear · Jun 21, 2005

Hey all,
My SIL is having a TAH-BSO next Monday and I recently told her to ask for CPAP post-op because studies show that recovery is quicker and better with CPAP post-op than just regular 02.
Well, she went to the doc today for her one-week-prior pre-op stuff and when she mentioned CPAP, she said that they didn't know what it was and that she probably couldn't get it. She's having the surgery done at a smaller hospital which she hates because her favorite OBGYN operates there.
My question is: Is CPAP overkill for a 33 y/o female having this hysterectomy that is essentially major abdominal surgery in my mind? If CPAP is appropriate, is it something she has to address now or request in pre-op the day of surgery? Insurance probably doesn't even cover it for that reason anyway.
Thanks!

Just curious, what was the article about? Was it in regard to any abd surgery, or what? Was it about people who normally wear CPAP at home?

zacarias, ASN, RN · Jun 22, 2005

Thanks all for your info. Pricklypear, the article just stated that there was fewer incidences of post-op pneumonia when people used CPAP. Of course I just read the article again to see and it said this was recommended for people "that developed post-op hypoxemia." Now HOW could I have missed that crucial part? The staff at her clinic probably thought my SIL was crazy when she requested CPAP. So now my SIL thinks I'm crazy? lol...sorry guys.

pricklypear · Jun 22, 2005

Thanks all for your info. Pricklypear, the article just stated that there was fewer incidences of post-op pneumonia when people used CPAP. Of course I just read the article again to see and it said this was recommended for people "that developed post-op hypoxemia." Now HOW could I have missed that crucial part? The staff at her clinic probably thought my SIL was crazy when she requested CPAP. So now my SIL thinks I'm crazy? lol...sorry guys.

Well, if you read the article with your SIL in mind, getting ready to have abdominal surgery, it's totally understandable!! I do that all the time. Especially here, I read a post and post a reply, only to find I missed something in the original post!:)