THE EFFECT OF FORCED-AIR WARMING ON POSTOPERATIVE OXYGEN-CONSUMPTION AND TEMPERATURE IN ELECTIVE ORTHOPEDIC-SURGERY

Actively warming patients during surgery is considered the best method of preventing inadvertent hypothermia. In order, to investigate the e ffect of forced air warming on postoperative oxygen consumption, we st udied 26 patients undergoing orthopaedic surgery using a prospective, randomized trial design. We measured oxygen consumption, carbon dioxid e production, temperature, thermal comfort and pain scores. Apart from intraoperative temperature, there were no significant differences in these measurements between the two groups. This study demonstrated the gradual heat gain and also the potential for hyperthermia from pre- a nd intraoperative forced air warming We conclude that forced air warmi ng is not necessary for moderate duration non-body-cavity surgery if e ffective preinduction covering of patients and minimal surgical exposu re is achieved.