Influence of a forced air warming system on morbidly obese patients undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.
BACKGROUND
Hypothermia during and after major abdominal surgery decreases host defenses, increases the incidence of coagulopathy and may alter blood pressure, cardiac contractility and myocardial stability.


METHODS
We designed a prospective randomized study to compare the benefits of a forced air warming system with warm blanket treatments in minimizing the effects of hypothermia on 64 morbidly obese patients undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.


RESULTS
Patients in the forced air warming group (n = 32) had significantly higher perioperative body core temperature, lower central venous pressure and blood pressure readings, lower incidence of shivering, less blood loss intraoperatively and achieved a higher post anesthesia Aldrete Score than those patients in the warmed blanket group (n = 32).


CONCLUSIONS
The forced air warming system is safe, cost effective and beneficial in minimizing the undesirable consequences of hypothermia in morbidly obese patients undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.
Mason
D S
DS
Doctors Hospital of Jackson, MI, USA.
Sapala
J A
JA
Wood
M H
MH
Sapala
M A
MA
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015390:Gastric Bypass; D006801:Humans; D007036:Hypothermia, Induced / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000601:surgery*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013696:Temperature