[Prevention of perioperative hypothermia]

Abstract

Inadvertent perioperative hypothermia impairs postoperative outcome in surgical patients due to ischemic myocardial events, wound infections and coagulation disorders. Body core temperature should be assessed 1-2h preoperatively and continuously during surgery. To prevent hypothermia patients and nursing clinical staff should be teached and trained. Preoperatively surgical patients should always be prewarmed by using convective warming devices and active warming should be continued in surgeries longer than 1 hour. Warming of IV fluids is effective if infusion rates are above 1l/h. Core temperature should be measured in the recovery room and active warming should be started when patients are hypothermic or if they feel cold.