OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of intraoperative combined forced-air warming and fluid warming system on patient's core temperature, blood loss, transfusion demand, extubation time, and incidence of postoperative shivering.

METHODSForty patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I and II, aged 18-70 years, scheduled for elective abdominal surgery were randomly assigned to receive intraoperative warming from a forced-air blanket and fluid warming system or conventional cotton blanket, 20 in each group. The core temperature was recorded every 20 minutes during the operation, as well as the blood loss, blood transfusion, extubation time, and incidence of postoperative shivering.

RESULTSThe core temperature at the end of the surgery in the warming group was significantly different from that in the control group (36.4 +/- 0.4 degrees C vs. 35.3 +/- 0.5 degrees C, P < 0.001). Application of intraoperative warming significantly shortened the time between the end of the surgery and extubation (P < 0.01). Postoperative shivering occurred in 30% of the patients in the control group compared to no patient in the warming group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONActive warming with air-forced blanket and fluid warming system provides sufficient heat to prevent hypothermia during abdominal surgery.