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. 2013 Jan;64(1):6-11.
doi: 10.4097/kjae.2013.64.1.6. Epub 2013 Jan 21.

The effect of heated breathing circuit on body temperature and humidity of anesthetic gas in major burns

In-Suk Kwak  1 , Do Young Choi, Tae-Hyung Lee, Ji Young Bae, Tae-Wan Lim, Kwang-Min Kim
Affiliations

The effect of heated breathing circuit on body temperature and humidity of anesthetic gas in major burns

In-Suk Kwak et al. Korean J Anesthesiol. 2013 Jan.

Abstract

Background: Cold and dry gas mixtures during general anesthesia cause the impairment of cilliary function and hypothermia. Hypothermia and pulmonary complications are critical for the patients with major burn. We examined the effect of heated breathing circuit (HBC) about temperature and humidity with major burned patients.

Methods: Sixty patients with major burn over total body surface area 25% scheduled for escharectomy and skin graft were enrolled. We randomly assigned patients to receiving HBC (HBC group) or conventional breathing circuit (control group) during general anesthesia. The esophageal temperature of the patients and the temperature and the absolute humidity of the circuit were recorded every 15 min after endotracheal intubation up to 180 min.

Results: There was no significant difference of the core temperature between two groups during anesthesia. The relative humidity of HBC group was significantly greater compared to control group (98% vs. 48%, P < 0.01). In both groups, all measured temperatures were significantly lower than that after intubation.

Conclusions: The use of HBC helped maintain airway humidity, however it did not have the effect to minimize a body temperature drop in major burns.

Keywords: Anesthesia; Closed circuit; General anesthesia; Humidity; Hypothermia.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
The difference between temperatures from 0 to 180 min after intubation. There is no statistically significant difference between two groups. In both groups, all measured temperatures except the value at 15 min are significantly lower than that after intubation. HBC: heated breathing circuit, AI: after intubation. *P < 0.05 compared after intubation.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
The change of temperatures of the gases in breathing circuit from 0 to 180 min after intubation. The temperatures of the inspired gases in HBC group are significantly greater compared to control group. HBC: heated breathing circuit, AI: after intubation. *P < 0.05 compared to control group.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
The change of absolute humidity of inspired gas in breathing circuit from 0 to 180 min after intubation. The absolute humidity of the inspired gases in HBC group is significantly greater compared to control group throughout the surgery. HBC: heated breathing circuit, AI: after intubation. *P < 0.05 compared to control group.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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