Comparing the efficacy of two warming methods on physiological indices of patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Hypothermia is a common and serious complication that occurs in patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery. Additionaly, various warming methods are used to prevent these conditions in the operating room.  The aim of this study was to compare the effect of two warming methods on physiological indices of patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

In a clinical trial study, 96 patients underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy in Alzahra Hospital of Isfahan were randomly divided into three groups (forced air warming system, warmed intravenous fluids and control group) (number of each group = 32). The intervention was conducted immediately after induction of anesthesia. The core body temperature, SPO2 and respiratory rate were recorded every 15 minutes to 30 minutes after the end of surgery and shivering with the Grossely and Mahajan observation tools in recovery.

There were no statistically significant differences between the three groups in the mean of body temperature, respiratory rate and SPO2 at any time (before induction of anesthesia, during operation and after surgery) (p<0.05). Remarkably, postoperative shivering did not occur in any of the three groups.

The use of active warming methods, including warmed intravenous fluids and forced air warming system in laparoscopic surgery, had no effect on physiological indices. Therefore, it is recommended that the warming method be used according to other conditions of the patients.