Effect of Preoperative Forced-Air Warming on Hypothermia in Elderly Patients Undergoing Transurethral Resection of the Prostate.

PURPOSE

Elderly patients under spinal anesthesia are vulnerable to hypothermia, leading to increased morbidity. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of preoperative forced-air warming on perioperative hypothermia and shivering in elderly patients undergoing transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) under spinal anesthesia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients (> 65-year-old) scheduled for TURP under spinal anesthesia were randomly assigned to receive preoperative forced-air skin warming for 20 min (the pre-warmed group, n = 25) or not (control group, n = 25). Core temperatures were measured at 15-min intervals after spinal anesthesia, and intra- and post-operative shivering were also assessed.

RESULTS

Incidences of intraoperative hypothermia (< 36 ºC) in the pre-warmed and control groups were not significantly different (10/25 [40%] vs. 15/24 [62.5%], P = .259). However, severities of hypothermia were significantly different (P = .019). No patient in the pre-warmed group showed moderate or profound hypothermia, whereas of patients in control group 21% and 13% did so, respectively.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that a brief period of preoperative forced-air warming did not completely prevent intraoperative hypothermia or shivering, but it could significantly reduce its severity in elderly male patients under spinal anesthesia.