Effects of Heated Infiltration Solutions and Forced-Air Heating Blankets on Intraoperative Hypothermia During Liposuction: A Factorial Randomized Controlled Trial.

[BACKGROUND] This study was conducted to compare the effects of heat preservation by two recommended methods, heated infiltration solutions and forced-air heating blankets, in patients undergoing liposuction under general anesthesia.

[METHODS] Forty patients were divided into four groups based on whether heated infiltration solutions or forced-air heating blankets were used. Group A received general anesthesia liposuction plastic surgery routine temperature care. Based on the care measures of group A, heated infiltration solutions were used in group B; forced-air heating blanket was used in group C; and heated infiltration solutions and forced-air heating blankets were both used in group D. The primary end point was intraoperative and perioperative temperature measured with an infrared tympanic membrane thermometer. Secondary end points included surgical outcomes, subjective experience, and adverse events.

[RESULTS] Compared with group A, the intraoperative body temperatures of groups B, C, and D were significantly higher, indicating that the two intervention methods were helpful on increasing the core body temperature. Pairwise comparisons of these three groups showed that there was no significant difference between group C and group D. However, using forced-air heating blankets had a marked effect compared with using heated infiltration solutions alone at three time points. The same trend could be seen in other surgical outcomes.

[CONCLUSIONS] Heated infiltration solutions and forced-air heating blankets could reduce the incidence of intraoperative hypothermia and improve patients' prognosis after liposuction under general anesthesia. Compared with the heated infiltration fluid, the forced-air heating blanket may have a better thermal insulation effect.

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