Resistive-heating or forced-air warming for the prevention of redistribution hypothermia.
BACKGROUND
We evaluated the efficacy of resistive-heating or forced-air warming versus no prewarming, applied before induction of anesthesia for prevention of hypothermia.


METHODS
Twenty-seven patients scheduled for laparoscopic colorectal surgery were randomized into 1 of 3 groups: no prewarming; 30 minutes of prewarming with a carbon fiber total body cover at 42 degrees C; or 30 minutes of preoperative forced-air warming at 42 degrees C. The forced-air warming cover excluded the shoulders, ankles, and feet. The prewarming period was exactly 30 minutes. At the 31st minute, a total IV anesthesia technique was initiated, and all patients were actively warmed with a lithotomy blanket. Tympanic and distal esophageal temperatures were measured. Categorical data were analyzed using chi(2) test, and continuous data were analyzed with analysis of variance. P <0.05 was considered statistically significant.


RESULTS
The mean esophageal temperatures differed significantly between the control and the carbon fiber group from 40 to 90 minutes of anesthesia. After 50 minutes of anesthesia, the mean esophageal temperatures in the control, carbon fiber, and forced-air groups were 35.9 degrees C +/- 0.3 degrees C, 36.5 degrees C +/- 0.4 degrees C, and 36.2 degrees C +/- 0.3 degrees C, respectively. No statistically significant difference was found between the forced-air and control groups. After 30 minutes of prewarming with resistive heating, patients had an esophageal temperature that was significantly higher than the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
Prewarming should be considered part of the anesthetic management when patients are at risk for postoperative hypothermia.
De Witte
Jan L
JL
Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, OLV-Hospital, Aalst, Belgium. jan.de.witte@olvz-aalst.be
Demeyer
Caroline
C
Vandemaele
Els
E
D000368:Aged; D000768:Anesthesia, General / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001512:Bedding and Linens; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation; D002244:Carbon; D000077482:Carbon Fiber; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects; D011211:Electric Power Supplies; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007035:Hypothermia / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017694:Rewarming / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D012881:Skin Temperature; D013997:Time Factors
D000077482:Carbon Fiber; D002244:Carbon