The Effect of Forced-Air Warming During Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery With General Anesthesia

Purpose The aim of this study was to compare the change in body temperature between the cotton blanket group and forced-air warming blanket group during arthroscopic shoulder surgery. In both groups irrigation fluid at room temperature (22°C) was used. Methods We randomly assigned 44 American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I and II patients scheduled for elective shoulder arthroscopic surgery to receive 1 cotton blanket (group I, n = 22) or a forced-air warming blanket (group II, n = 22). Body temperatures were measured with an esophageal stethoscope, which was inserted immediately after intubation. Results A significant difference in body temperatures was observed at 60 minutes after induction ( P = .0192), 90 minutes after induction ( P = .0004), 120 minutes after induction ( P = .0003), and 150 minutes after induction ( P = .0228). Shivering on arrival in the postanesthesia care unit was found in 15 patients in group I (68.1%) and only 1 patient in group II (4.5%). Conclusions We conclude that forced-air warming is significantly more efficient than a cotton blanket alone at maintaining perioperative normothermia during arthroscopic shoulder surgery. Level of Evidence Level I, randomized controlled trial.