Editor's Note Ambient intraoperative OR temperature had a negligible effect on core temperature when patients were warmed with forced air in this study. The effect was larger when patients were passively insulated, but the magnitude remained small. A total of 292 adult patients were randomized to ambient temperatures 19º, 21º,…
Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on August 30 issued a Safety Alert reminding healthcare providers that using thermal regulating systems, including forced air systems, during surgical procedures has been shown to result in less bleeding, faster recovery times, and decreased risk of infections for patients. The FDA…
Even in patients actively warmed with forced air during surgery, hypothermia is routine during the first hour of anesthesia, a new study finds. Intraoperative core hypothermia causes complications such as coagulopathy, surgical site infections, and possibly myocardial complications. It also decreases drug metabolism, prolongs recovery, and causes thermal discomfort. Warming…