Short-Periods of Pre-Warming in Laparoscopic Surgery. A Non-Randomized Clinical Trial Evaluating Current Clinical Practice

Background: Pre-warming prevents perioperative hypothermia. We evaluated the current clinical practice of pre-warming and its effects on temperature drop and postoperative complications; Methods: This prospective, observational pilot study examines clinical practice in a tertiary hospital on 99 patients undergoing laparoscopic urological surgery. Pre-warming was performed in the pre-anesthesia room. Patients were classified into three groups: P 0 (non-prewarmed), P 5-15 (pre-warming 5-15 min) and P > 15 (pre-warming 15-30 min). Tympanic temperature was recorded in the pre-anesthesia room, prior to anesthesia induction, and in the PACU. Esophageal temperature was recorded intraoperatively. The occurrence of shivering, pain intensity, length of stay in PACU, and postoperative complications during hospital stay were also recorded; Results: After pre-warming, between-group difference in body temperature was higher in P > 15 than in P 0 (0.4 degrees C, 95% CI 0.14-0.69, p = 0.004). Between P 5-15 and P 0 difference was 0.2 degrees C (95% CI 0.04-0.55, p = 0.093). Temperature at the end of surgery was higher in pre-warmed groups [mean between-group difference 0.5 degrees C (95% CI 0.13-0.81, p = 0.007) for P 5-15; 0.9 degrees C (95% CI 0.55-1.19, p < 0.001) for P > 15]. Pain and shivering was less common in pre-warmed groups. Postoperative transfusions and surgical site infections were lower in P > 15; Conclusion: Short-term pre-warming prior to laparoscopic urological surgery decreased temperature perioperative drop and postoperative complications.