A randomised single blinded study of the administration of pre-warmed fluid vs active fluid warming on the incidence of peri-operative hypothermia in short surgical procedures.
We compared the effect of delivering fluid warmed using two methods in 76 adult patients having short duration surgery. All patients received a litre of crystalloid delivered either at room temperature, warmed using an in-line warming device or pre-warmed in a warming cabinet for at least 8 h. The tympanic temperature of those receiving fluid at room temperature was 0.4 °C lower on arrival in recovery when compared with those receiving fluid from a warming cabinet (p = 0.008). Core temperature was below the hypothermic threshold of 36.0 °C in seven (14%) patients receiving either type of warm fluid, compared to eight (32%) patients receiving fluid at room temperature (p = 0.03). The administration of 1 l warmed fluid to patients having short duration general anaesthesia results in higher postoperative temperatures. Pre-warmed fluid, administered within 30 min of its removal from a warming cabinet, is as efficient at preventing peri-operative hypothermia as that delivered through an in-line warming system.
Andrzejowski
J C
JC
Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, UK. john.andrzejowski@sth.nhs.uk
Turnbull
D
D
Nandakumar
A
A
Gowthaman
S
S
Eapen
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures; D000768:Anesthesia, General; D001831:Body Temperature; D005260:Female; D005440:Fluid Therapy / Q000379:methods; D006361:Heating / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007035:Hypothermia / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007430:Intraoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D007552:Isotonic Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D015532:Rehydration Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000077325:Ringer's Lactate; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D055815:Young Adult
D007552:Isotonic Solutions; D015532:Rehydration Solutions; D000077325:Ringer's Lactate