Comparison of Forced-air Warming Systems and Intravenous Fluid Warmers in the Prevention of Pediatric Perioperative Hypothermia

Aim: We aimed to compare the efficacy of intravenous blood-fluid warming and forced-air warming systems for the prevention of perioperative hypothermia in pediatric patients under six years of age. Methods: Two-hundred children aged 0-6 years, who underwent elective surgery, were included in the study. Group 1 patients were warmed with forced-air warming system at the operating room. Group 2 patients were warmed with intravenous fluid and blood warming systems at the operating room. During the entire operation, heart rate, SpO(2), end Tidal CO2 and esophagus temperature values were recorded at 10-minute intervals. The number of patients, who needed rescue warming, the starting time and duration of rescue warming were recorded. The duration of the anesthesia, the duration of the operation, and the time of recovery were recorded. Results: The groups were compared in terms of mean operating room temperature and body temperature and no statistically significant difference was found between the groups. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups for additional rescue warming need and time to rescue warming. The time to recovery was longer in the patients who needed rescue warming. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between the duration of the operation and the duration of the need for rescue warming with a confidence of 99%. Conclusion: In pediatric patients, i.v. fluid warming systems are as effective as forced-air warming systems in avoiding perioperative hypothermia.