TEMPERATURE MONITORING AND PERIOPERATIVE HEAT LOSS

Objectives: To assess the temperature fall at various stages in the perioperative period and identification of contributing factors. Material & Methods: This observational study was carried out at Blackpool Victoria Hospital, UK from August 2005 - January 2006 on 32 patients undergoing major lower limb vascular surgery. Semi-structured data collection form was designed to record the time and tympanic temperature at different stages in perioperative period and the warming methods used. Results: A median fall of 0.1oC (0 - 0SC) in core temperature was recorded in ward and theatre reception area. The median fall of temperature in the anaesthetic room was 0.3oC (0-.8"C). Patients (n=16) spending more than ʹA hour in the anaesthetic room had a significant (p=0.002) temperature drop recorded at 0.4oC as compared to 0.TC for those spending less than 30 minutes. During operation, a median fall of temperature by 0.8"C (0.3 - 2.1oC) was recorded. Operations lasting for 2/hours or more (n=16) resulted in a 1oC temperature fall as against 0SC for the rest. Seven patients, in whom a warming mat was used, had a temperature drop of 0.&C compared to 0.35ʹC in patients who received warm touch. In the recovery unit, 23 patients had a further drop of 0.3oC, while 9 patients who were actively warmed gained 0.6°C. Conclusions: Significant heat loss occurs in the anaesthetic room relevant to the length of time consumed in anaesthetising the patient. Furthermore active warming measures in the perioperative period have a positive impact on maintaining core temperature.