EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT METHODS USED IN PERIOPERATIVE WARMING IN THE ADULT

Abstract

Background: At least 50% surgical patients have some hypothermia degree. In Addition, hypothermia may have several metabolic, haematologic, cardiovascular and pharmacological adverse consequences, between other things. Aim: it is to know the warming effects during perioperative in surgical adults patients. Methods: literature review of twenty two randomized controlled trials, eleven literature review, three prospective trials, one metaanalysis, one systematic review, and one clinical guideline, published between January 1996 and October 2006, all this evidence have been got of different data bases and scientific magazine. Results: randomized controlled trials show the application of several warming systems, the most used and effective is air forced. Warming used in all types of surgery (except neurological and cardiac surgery), mainly during intraoperative. The principal effects of warming in the preoperative are: increase patient temperature, and facilitate venous cannulation. During intraoperative mantains normothermia and decrease blood loss during surgery, both effects remain in the postoperative. Furthermore in the last perioperative phase is possible found a reduce of wound infection, hospital stay, shivering, vasoconstriction, blood pressure, morbid cardiac events, mechanical ventilation time, vasodilators, morphine and antibiotics use, pain, and increase thermal comfort. Conclusion: this evidence review provide support that warming is an effective method, preventing or treatment unplanned perioperative hypothermia and its adverse consequences, reducing recuperation time, hospitalization costs and increasing thermal comfort.