POSTOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT OF HYPOTHERMIA OF INTRAOPERATIVE ORIGIN - EXPERIENCE WITH A FORCED-AIR CONVECTIVE WARMING DEVICE

Hypothermia develops during the intra-operative period partly as a res ult of disordered thermoregulation induced by anaesthesia, and partly because of the nature of the operation or injury and the surgical envi ronment. Both the hypothermic state and the consequences of physiologi cal attempts to return the core temperature to normal, which take plac e during the postoperative period, are associated with nonbeneficial e ffects. Attempts to prevent an intra-operative decline in core tempera ture are a part of anaesthesia management. However, most of the tradit ional options available are inefficient or ineffective, especially if used as a single intervention and particularly in adults. This study e valuates the performance of a new device, the forced-air convective wa rmer, in the management of the postoperative hypothermic state. Result s show that the device made a significant difference to the thermal st ate of a group of hypothermic postoperative patients when compared wit h a hypothermic control group, but only if used for at least 2 hours a fter the operation.