Factors Associated with Delayed Recovery of Awakening After General Anesthesia in Patients Undergoing General Surgery: A observational Cross-Sectional Study at a Mayo Hospital in Lahore, Pakistan
Keywords:
Delayed recovery, Delayed emergence, General anesthesia, General surgery, Post-anesthesia care unit, Associated factorsAbstract
Background: Delayed emergence after general anesthesia can prolong post-anesthesia care, but evidence from Pakistan is limited. Objective: To determine the proportion of delayed recovery and examine associated factors among general surgery patients. Methods: This observational cross-sectional study included 150 patients undergoing general surgery under general anesthesia at Mayo Hospital, Lahore, during September and October 2024. Delayed recovery was defined as awakening more than 30 minutes after anesthesia cessation. Associations were assessed using Pearson's chi-square test and crude odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: Delayed recovery occurred in 53 patients (35.3%; 95% CI 28.1-43.3). Higher crude odds were observed among males (OR 2.50, 95% CI 1.17-5.34), smokers (OR 2.14, 95% CI 1.08-4.23), alcohol users (OR 2.19, 95% CI 1.05-4.58), and patients with diabetes mellitus (OR 2.53, 95% CI 1.27-5.03). BMI category was not associated with delayed recovery (p=0.832). Conclusion: Delayed recovery was frequent in this cohort, and several demographic, lifestyle, and metabolic characteristics showed crude associations. Prospective multivariable studies are needed before these variables are used for clinical prediction. Keywords: Delayed recovery, Delayed emergence, General anesthesia, General surgery, Post-anesthesia care unit, Associated factors
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