[The efficacy of carbon-fiber resistive-heating in prevention of core hypothermia during major abdominal surgery].

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Perioperative hypothermia causes numerous severe complications, such as coagulopathy, surgical wound infections, and morbid myocardial outcomes. For prevention of intraoperative hypothermia, an inexpensive, non-disposable carbon fiber resistive warming system has been developed.

METHODS:

We evaluated the efficacy of resistive-heating, comparing to circulating-water mattress and forced-air warming system. Twenty four patients undergoing elective abdominal surgery were randomly assigned to warming with: 1) a circulating water mattress, 2) a lower-body forced-air system, or 3) a carbon-fiber, resistive-heating blanket.

RESULTS:

Tympanic membrane temperature in the first two hours of surgery decreased by 1.9 +/- 0.5 degrees C in the water mattress group, 1.0 +/- 0.6 degree C in the forced-air group, 0.8 +/- 0.2 degree C in the resistive-heating group. The decreases in core temperature by the end of surgery were 2.0 +/- 0.8 degrees C in the water mattress group, 0.6 +/- 1.1 degrees C in the forced-air group, and 0.5 +/- 0.4 degree C in the resistive blanket group, respectively. There was no significant difference in the changes of core temperature between the forced-air group and the resistive-heating group. No side effects related to resistive-heating blanket were observed.

CONCLUSIONS:

Even during major abdominal surgery, carbon-fiber resistive-heating maintains core temperature as effectively as forced air.

• Authors: Kenji Hasegawa, Chiharu Negishi, Fumitoshi Nakagawa, Shihoko Mukai, Makoto Ozaki
• Journal: Masui. The Japanese journal of anesthesiology (Masui) Vol. 52 Issue 6 Pg. 636-41 (Jun 2003) ISSN: 0021-4892 [Print] Japan
• PMID: 12854480 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Carbon Fiber
• Carbon

Topics

• Abdomen (surgery)
• Aged
• Anesthesia, General
• Bedding and Linens
• Body Temperature Regulation
• Carbon (therapeutic use)
• Carbon Fiber
• Heating (instrumentation, methods)
• Humans
• Hypothermia (prevention & control)
• Middle Aged
• Monitoring, Intraoperative
• Rewarming (methods)