Laminar flow enclosure-a possible risk to the patient.
A retrospective comparison was made between two groups of 50 adult patients who underwent open-heart surgery in an operating suite with two adjacent rooms, one of which was equipped with a laminar flow enclosure. Core and body surface temperatures were measured at 15-min intervals for the 1st h after commencement of surgery. Patients in a laminar flow enclosure showed a significantly greater decrease in core temperature with time. Possible means of counteracting this are suggested.
D000328:Adult; D000392:Air Movements; D001831:Body Temperature; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures; D004947:Esophagus; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009873:Operating Rooms / Q000592:standards; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012306:Risk; D012881:Skin Temperature; D014691:Ventilation