The optimal temperature of air-heated blankets for preventing intraoperative hypothermia in patients with gynecological tumor: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Air-heated blankets can effectively prevent intraoperative hypothermia in patients undergoing major surgeries. However, the optimal temperature of an air-heated blanket for preventing intraoperative hypothermia in these patients has not yet been established. This study aimed to determine the optimal temperature of an air-heated blanket for preventing intraoperative hypothermia in patients undergoing radical resection for endometrial cancer. METHOD: After the induction of general anesthesia, groups A, B, and C received air-heated blankets set to 36°C, 38°C, and 40°C, respectively, for warming until the end of surgery. The core temperature, time to eye opening, extubation time, and time to discharge from the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) were recorded. Perioperative complications-including hypothermia, emergence agitation, hyperthermia, shivering, delayed awakening, and nausea and vomiting-were also documented. RESULTS: There were six cases of hypothermia in group A, while no hypothermia was observed in groups B and C. Statistically significant differences were found in the incidence of hypothermia and shivering among the three groups (P = 0.002 and P = 0.034, respectively). The extubation time and time to eye opening in group C were shorter than those in group A (P < 0.05); however, no statistically significant differences were observed between groups B and C. CONCLUSION: The optimal temperature of the air-heated blanket for preventing hypothermia in patients undergoing radical resection for endometrial cancer was 38°C. This study offers guidance on the specific warming temperatures used in clinical practice. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: Identifier: ChiCTR2400080803, https://www.chictr.org.cn/.