Influence of a Forced Air Warming System on Morbidly Obese Patients Undergoing Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

Author: Mason Debra   Sapala James   Wood Michael   Sapala M  

Publisher: Springer Publishing Company

ISSN: 1708-0428

Source: Obesity Surgery, Vol.8, Iss.4, 1998-08, pp. : 453-460

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Abstract

Background: Hypothermia during and after major abdominal surgery decreases host defenses, increases the incidence of coagulopathy and may alter blood pressure, cardiac contractility and myocardial stability. Methods: We designed a prospective randomized study to compare the benefits of a forced air warming system with warm blanket treatments in minimizing the effects of hypothermia on 64 morbidly obese patients undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Results: Patients in the forced air warming group (n = 32) had significantly higher perioperative body core temperature, lower central venous pressure and blood pressure readings, lower incidence of shivering, less blood loss intraoperatively and achieved a higher post anesthesia Aldrete Score than those patients in the warmed blanket group (n = 32). Conclusion: The forced air warming system is safe, cost effective and beneficial in minimizing the undesirable consequences of hypothermia in morbidly obese patients undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

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