Risk Factors Asscociated with Hypokalemia during Postanesthesia Recovery and Its Impact on Outcomes in Gynecological Patients: A Propensity Score Matching Study

Objective: This study aimed to explore the risk factors and outcomes of hypokalemia during the recovery period from anesthesia in the gynecological population. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 208 patients who underwent gynecological surgery at our institution between January 2021 and March 2022. Data were collected for each patient, including demographics, disease status, surgical data, and clinical information. Preoperative bowel preparation, postoperative gastrointestinal function, and electrolyte levels were compared between the two groups using propensity score matching (PSM). Results: The incidence of hypokalemia (serum potassium level <3.5 mmol/L) during the recovery period from anesthesia was approximately 43.75%. After PSM, oral laxative use (96.4% vs. 82.4%, P=0.005), the number of general enemas (P=0.014), and the rate of >= 2 general enemas (92.9% vs. 77.8%, P=0.004) were identified as risk factors for hypokalemia, which was accompanied by decreased PaCO2 and hypocalcemia. There were no significant differences in postoperative gastrointestinal outcomes, such as the time to first flatus or feces, the I-FEED score (a scoring system was created to evaluate impaired postoperative gastrointestinal function), or postoperative recovery outcomes, between the hypokalemia group and the normal serum potassium group. Conclusion: Hypokalemia during postanesthesia recovery period occurred in 43.75% of gynecological patients, which resulted from preoperative mechanical bowel preparation; however, it did not directly affect clinical outcomes, including postoperative gastrointestinal function, postoperative complications, and length of hospital stay.