Comparing Forced-Air to Resistive-Polymer Warming for Perioperative Temperature Management: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Compare perioperative temperature management between forced-air warming (FAW) and resistive-polymer heating blankets (RHBs). A retrospective, quasi-experimental study. Retrospective data analysis of nonspine orthopedic cases (N=426) over a one-year period including FAW (n=119) and RHBs (n=307). FAW was associated with a significantly higher final intraoperative temperature (P=.001, d=0.46) than the RHB. The incidence of hypothermia was not found to be significantly different at the end (P=.102) or anytime throughout surgery (P=.270). Of all patients who started hypothermic, the FAW group had a lower incidence of hypothermia at the end of surgery (P=.023). FAW was associated with higher final temperatures and a greater number of normothermic patients than RHBs. However, no causal relationship between a warming device and hypothermia incidence should be assumed.