Background:
This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of peri-induction forced air warming to prevent inadvertent perioperative hypothermia, defined as a reduction in body temperature to < 36.0℃ during the perioperative period, in intraoperatively warmed patients receiving major surgery lasting more than 120 min.
Methods:
In total, 130 patients scheduled for elective surgery under general anesthesia lasting more than 120 min were divided into two groups: peri-induction warming (n = 65) and control (n = 65). Patients in the peri-induction warming group were warmed during the anesthetic induction period using a forced-air warmer set at 47℃, while patients in the control group were covered passively with a cotton blanket. All patients were warmed with a forced-air warmer during surgery. Body temperature was measured using a tympanic membrane thermometer in the preoperative and postoperative periods and using a nasopharyngeal temperature probe during surgery. Patients were evaluated for shivering scale score, thermal comfort scale score, and satisfaction score in the post anesthesia care unit.
Results:
The incidence rates of intraoperative and postoperative hypothermia were lower in the peri-induction warming group than in the control group (19.0% vs 57.1%, P < 0.001; 3.3% vs 16.9%, P = 0.013, respectively). Body temperature was higher in the peri-induction warming group (P < 0.001). However, intraoperative blood loss, as well as postoperative thermal comfort scale score, shivering scale score, and patient satisfaction score, were similar between groups. Post anesthesia care unit duration was also similar between groups.
Conclusions:
Peri-induction active forced air warming is an effective, simple, and convenient method to prevent inadvertent perioperative hypothermia in intraoperatively warmed patients undergoing major surgery lasting more than 120 min.