Author:

Keywords:

hypothermia, Lumbar surgery, active prewarming

Abstract:

Introduction Surgical patients who suffer from inadvertent hypothermia (Temp <36°C) are more at risk for wound infections, cardiac complications and blood transfusions.(1) Active prewarming is recommended in the prevention of hypothermia. New devices must be tested before implementing as an evidence based approach in the prevention of hypothermia. Aim The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of an active self-warming blanket used in the pre- and postoperative period on core temperature in patients undergoing lumbar surgery under general anesthesia. Methods Fifty-four patients undergoing lumbar surgery were randomized to receive standard care (n=28) or an active self-warming blanket (n=26) in the pre- and postoperative period. Tympanic core temperature and vital parameters were measured preoperative at admission to operating complex, postoperative at admission to recovery, 30 minutes later and before leaving recovery. Mixed model was used for statistical analysis. Results The mean core temperature preoperative was 36.4°C and no patient had hypothermia. Postoperative the mean core temperature decreased to 35.7°C with 70% of patients hypothermic. Before leaving Post-Anesthesia-Care-Unit, the temperature increased to 36.2°C with 29% of the patients hypothermic. No significant difference (p=0.707) was found in the pattern of core temperature between control and intervention group. Neither in the pattern of blood pressure (p=0.458), pulse (p=0.136), oxygen saturation (p=0.174) and thermal comfort (p=450). Implications for perioperative nursing The prevalence of hypothermia in surgical patients undergoing lumbar surgery is high. Despite other studies have shown effect from active prewarming on core temperature, no effect was found. If active prewarming will be used in the prevention of hypothermia it’s recommended to implement it in all stages of surgery. (1) Torossian A, Bräuer A, Höcker J, Bein B, Wulf H, Horn EP: Clinical practice guideline: Preventing inadvertent perioperative hypothermia. Dtsch Arztebl Int 2015; 112: 166–72.