Although several clinical predictive models have been developed to predict postoperative pulmonary complications, few predictive models have been developed for elderly patients. In this study, the researchers aimed to develop a new, simplified model to assess the risk of postoperative pulmonary complications in elderly patients using perioperative database information.

Postoperative pulmonary complications occur frequently, which is an important cause of death and morbidity. Age has always been an significant predictor of postoperative pulmonary complications. With an aging population worldwide, more and more elderly people are undergoing surgery due to the expansion of surgical indications. As a result of this phenomenon, the elderly are also an important group for the prediction and intervention of postoperative pulmonary complications. In order to better assess the risk of postoperative pulmonary complications in elderly patients, we constructed a model using database information.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 65 years or older
• receiving invasive ventilation during general anesthesia for surgery

Exclusion Criteria:

• preoperative mechanical ventilation
• operations related to previous postoperative complications
• a second operation after surgery
• organ transplantation
• discharged within 24 hours after surgery
• cardiac and thoracic surgery

older patients received general anesthesia in Wuhan Union Hospital from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2019.