Perioperative hypothermia in colorectal surgeries: are we doing enough to prevent it?

Abstract

To determine the incidence of hypothermia in patients undergoing colorectal surgery, and to identify factors that increase vulnerability to perioperative hypothermia. The retrospective study was conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, and comprised medical records from May 2012 to June 2017 related to all patients aged >16 years of either gender who underwent colorectal procedures. Analysis about predictors of perioperative hypothermia was done using Stata 12. Of the 100 patients, 69(69%) were males. The overall mean age was 50.2±16.7 years. Majority cases had elective presentation 72(72%). Incidence of perioperative hypothermia was noted in 74(74%) patients. Postoperative morbidity was 16(16%), while mortality was 4(4%). Elective presentation and hypothermia before surgery were significantly associated with occurrence of intraoperative hypothermia (odds ratio: 4.5 and 1.3 respectively). Perioperative incidence of hypothermia was found to be quite high despite appropriate measures. Factors responsible need to be explored and rectified.