Does the covering of children during induction of anesthesia have an effect on body temperature at the end of surgery?

Abstract

Study objectives: To determine whether the covering of healthy children during anesthetic induction reduces hypothermia at the end of minor surgeries.

Design: Randomized, single-blinded, prospective study.

Setting: Operating room and postoperative recovery area of a university-affiliated hospital.

Patients: 50 ASA physical status 1 patients, aged 6 months to 3.5 years, scheduled for simple urological surgeries.

Interventions: Subjects were randomly assigned to one of two groups: covered or uncovered. Children in the covered group (Group C) were actively warmed on arrival in the operating room (OR) using cotton blankets and a warm forced-air blanket set at 43°C. Children in the uncovered group (Group U) remained uncovered during the induction of general anesthesia. Children in both groups were actively warmed following placement of surgical drapes.

Measurements: Temperature (in Celsius) during the study procedure was recorded for each patient.

Main results: Mean core body temperature at the end of induction did not differ in the two groups, 36.4°C in Group C and 36.6°C in Group U. Mean core body temperature at the end of surgery did not differ between the two groups: 36.9°C in Group C and 37.0°C in Group U.

Conclusion: Leaving healthy children uncovered during induction of general anesthesia does not have a clinically significant effect on core temperature at the end of induction or of surgery.