Effects of intraoperative skin surface warming on postanesthetic recovery and shivering: A prospective, randomized, clinical trial

Abstract

Objective: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of skin surface warming during operation on postoperative recovery and shivering. Materials and Methods: Eighty seven patients with the risk classification of American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class I-II who were scheduled for elective open cholecystectomy were enrolled in this study. Peripheral body temperatures and tympanic temperatures were measured in all patients before the operation. Patients randomized into two groups. The patients in the first group were heated to 37 degrees C peripheral temperature with a warming pad (KanMed heater device) placed under the patient during surgery. Heating process is not implemented in the other group. heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAB), peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO(2)), tympanic membrane temperature, peripheral temperature and room temperature were recorded at induction and pre-induction with 5-minute intervals,. In 5-10-15 minutes after extubation, shivering and Aldrete recovery scores were evaluated and recorded. Results: Peripheral tympanic membrane temperatures during the operation and aldrete recovery scores were higher in the patients were heated during surgery than the others. After the operation, the mean temperature of the tympanic membrane was 36.59 +/- 0,12 degrees C in the heated group, while 35.94 +/- 0.16 degrees C were recorded in the non-heated group (p= 0,039). Aldrete recovery scores and shivering scores after the operation were higher in the heated group than the non-heated group (p=0,001 for aldrete; and p=0,042 for shivering). None of the patients had shivering in the heated group, while four patients had shivering in the non-heated group. Conclusion: In this study, we have clearly demonstrated that peripheral heating is preventing postoperative shivering and expediting postoperative recovery.