Influence of Local Insufflation of Warm Humidified CO2 on the Wound Surface and Body Core Temperature as well as on Wound Healing in Open Colorectal Surgery

Abstract

Perioperative hypothermia may lead to serious complications. This study aims to investigate whether intraoperative insufflation of warmed and humidified carbon dioxide (W-H-CO2) into the open wound during open colorectal surgery influences body core and wound surface temperatures or the incidence of wound healing disorders (WHD). Between 02/2018 and 07/2019, 50 patients intended to undergo open resection for colorectal cancer were recruited and randomised to a control group (n = 25) and an experimental group (n = 25). In the experimental group, a device for insufflation of W-H-CO2 was used. Body core and wound surface temperatures were recorded at the beginning and before finishing the procedure. IL-6 serum levels were determined preoperatively and during the postoperative course. Clinical observation of wound healing was performed until the 30th day post-op. Both groups were homogeneous in terms of risk factors for WHD. In the control group, the median body core temperature (1. quartile/3. quartile) was 36.2 °C (36/36.4 °C) when the operation started and 36.2 °C (35.9/36.45 °C) at the end, while in the experimental group it was initially 36.2 °C (35.7/36.4 °C) and 36.4 °C (36/36.7 °C) at the end. There was no significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.08). The wound temperature in the control group dropped from 32.8 °C (median; 31.85/34.05 °C) to 30.7 °C (median; 29.85/32.15 °C). In the experimental group, we recorded a drop from 31.9 °C (median; 30.25/32.95 °C) to 31.6 °C (median; 30.25/31.85 °C), which was statistically significant (p = 0.000475). The dynamic of the IL-6 serum levels in both groups suggest that there was no significant difference (p = 0.66; p = 0.88; p = 0.88). In the control group, 8 patients experienced superficial WHD, 2 anastomotic leakages (AL), while in the experimental group, superficial WHD were observed in 5 patients and AL in 1 patient. This differences between the groups regarding in WHD were not significant (p = 0.42). The established measures for prevention of perioperative hypothermia in elective procedures are sufficient. However, the local wound surface temperature is not preserved satisfactorily. Deployment of a device for intraoperative insufflation of W-H-CO2 into open wounds may be suitable for maintaining local normothermia. Further studies are needed to determine the influence of warm and humid CO2 on wound healing.