Perioperative hypothermia and surgical site infections part 1

Abstract

Perioperative hypothermia has been identified as an infection risk factor in human literature, however, literature from veterinary counterparts is conflicting. Registered veterinary nurses (RVNs) should always strive to provide the gold standard of care to their patients including when under anaesthesia and in the operating theatre. This can include looking at available evidence for standards of care, in this instance how best to maintain normothermia during the perioperative period. Part one of this article introduces the concept of surgical site infections (SSIs) as well as exploring hypothermia in the perioperative phase and how this may occur. Available evidence is examined for perioperative hypothermia and its links to SSIs. The author compares literature from both humans and animals and highlights key points while critiquing available research. Part two of this article will explore ways of maintaining normothermia in the perioperative phase by looking at the effectiveness of various methods discussed in studies and concluding with recommendations for further study as well as recommendations for RVNs in practice.