Does the covering of children during induction of anesthesia have an effect on body temperature at the end of surgery?

Abstract

Study ObjectivesTo determine whether the covering of healthy children during anesthetic induction reduces hypothermia at the end of minor surgeries. DesignRandomized, single-blinded, prospective study. SettingOperating room and postoperative recovery area of a university-affiliated hospital. Patients50 ASA physical status 1 patients, aged 6 months to 3.5 years, scheduled for simple urological surgeries. InterventionsSubjects were randomly assigned to one of two groups: covered or uncovered. Children in the covered group (Group C) were actively warmed on arrival in the operating room (OR) using cotton blankets and a warm forced-air blanket set at 43°C. Children in the uncovered group (Group U) remained uncovered during the induction of general anesthesia. Children in both groups were actively warmed following placement of surgical drapes. MeasurementsTemperature (in Celsius) during the study procedure was recorded for each patient. Main ResultsMean core body temperature at the end of induction did not differ in the two groups, 36.4°C in Group C and 36.6°C in Group U. Mean core body temperature at the end of surgery did not differ between the two groups: 36.9°C in Group C and 37.0°C in Group U. ConclusionLeaving healthy children uncovered during induction of general anesthesia does not have a clinically significant effect on core temperature at the end of induction or of surgery.