Forced Air Warming Effect on Hypothermia
Conditions
Keywords
Shivering, Hypothermia, Postoperative, Temperature, Forced air warmer
Brief summary
Shivering is one of the most commonly recognized problem associated with anesthesia, It is believed to be thermoregulatory in origin. Studies suggest that pre-warming the patient prior to the surgery can reduce the chances of hypothermia induced shivering during the post operative period. Forced air warmers are the most frequently used active warming devices in the peri-operative setting. Currently, our hospital does not pre-warm patients but if our study shows that pre-warming reduces post-operative shivering, we will be able to make an evidence based decision to start this practice.
Detailed description
Inadvertent peri-operative hypothermia (IPH) and shivering is one of the most commonly recognized problem during anesthesia which is believed to be thermoregulatory in origin. Although shivering is uncomfortable for most patients, it is unlikely that this relatively small increase in total body oxygen consumption in the average shivering patient is associated with increased peri-operative morbidity. It is common for patients to complain that their worst memory from the recovery room is the intense cold sensation and uncontrollable shivering. New guidelines recommend that patients core temperature has to be maintained at \>36°C, postoperatively. Studies suggest that pre-warming the patient prior to the surgery can reduce the chances of hypothermia induced shivering during the post operative period. Forced air warmers are the most frequently used active warming devices in the peri-operative setting. They are effective at preventing hypothermia induced shivering when used before induction of anesthesia, during anesthesia and surgery, and after emergence in the post-anesthesia care unit. Other methods such as warm fluids, opioids, blankets and warm light devices can be used but are less effective as compared to the forced air warming devices. Currently, our hospital does not pre-warm patients but if our study shows that pre-warming reduces post-operative shivering, we will be able to make an evidence based decision to start this practice.
Interventions
DEVICEForced Air Warmer
A forced air warmer device will be used to pre-warm patients for 10 minutes in holding bay before surgery. Air warming device is an electrically powered control unit, hose, and inflatable blanket. The control unit has an air filter and heater, which warms air entrained from the environment. The hose connects to a blanket.
OTHERNo pre-op warming
No forced air warming of the patient prior to being taken in for surgery
Sponsors
Indus Hospital and Health Network
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
15 Years to 70 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* All patients going under therapeutic laparoscopic surgery * All patients between 15-70 years irrespective of their gender * ASA 1-3 patients * Those who have given informed consent
Exclusion criteria
* Any patient undergoing diagnostic laparoscopic surgery * Patients below age of 15 yrs * ASA 4 or higher patients * Patients not giving informed consent
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| inadvertent shivering post surgery | upto 2-3 hours post-surgery | number of patients who experience shivering in holding bay |
Countries
Pakistan
Contacts
Primary ContactAsghar Ali, MBBS
Backup ContactNaila Baig-Ansari, PhD
Outcome results
None listed