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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2021 Feb;65(2):176-181.
doi: 10.1111/aas.13714. Epub 2020 Oct 7.

Thermal suit connected to a forced-air warming unit for preventing intraoperative hypothermia: A randomised controlled trial

Sirkka-Liisa Lauronen  1   2 , Marja-Tellervo Mäkinen  3 , Päivi Annila  2 , Heini Huhtala  4 , Arvi Yli-Hankala  1   5 , Maija-Liisa Kalliomäki  1
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Thermal suit connected to a forced-air warming unit for preventing intraoperative hypothermia: A randomised controlled trial

Sirkka-Liisa Lauronen et al. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand. 2021 Feb.

Abstract

Background: Inadvertent intraoperative hypothermia is a common occurrence in surgical patients. A thermal suit is an option for passive insulation. However, active warming is known to be more effective. Therefore, we hypothesised that a forced-air warming (FAW) unit connected to the thermal suit is superior to a commercial FAW blanket and a warming mattress in breast cancer surgery.

Methods: Forty patients were randomised to this prospective, clinical trial to wear either the thermal suit or conventional hospital clothes under general anaesthesia. The Thermal suit group had a FAW unit set to 38°C and connected to the legs of the suit. The Hospital clothes group had a lower body blanket set to 38°C and a warming mattress set to 37°C. Core temperature was measured with zero-heat-flux sensor. The primary outcome was core temperature on admission to the recovery room.

Results: There was no difference in mean core temperatures at anaesthetic induction (P = .4) or on admission to the recovery room (P = .07). One patient in the Thermal suit group (5%) vs six patients in the Hospital clothes group (32%) suffered from intraoperative hypothermia (P = .04, 95% CI 1.9%-49%). Mean skin temperatures (MSTs) were higher in the Thermal suit group during anaesthesia. No burns or skin irritations were reported. Two patients in the Thermal suit group sweated.

Conclusions: A thermal suit connected to a FAW unit was not superior to a commercial FAW blanket, although the incidence of intraoperative hypothermia was lower in patients treated with a thermal suit.

Keywords: accidental hypothermia; body temperature changes; forced-air warming.

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References

REFERENCES

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