Meta-analysis: effectiveness of forced-air warming for prevention of perioperative hypothermia in surgical patients.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of forced-air warming for preventing perioperative hypothermia.

BACKGROUND: Perioperative hypothermia commonly occurs in patients receiving anaesthesia during surgeries. However, the effectiveness of warming systems requires verification.

DESIGN: Systematic review incorporating meta-analysis.

DATA SOURCES: We searched OVID, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Medline, CINAHL, CETD and CEPS databases (2001-2015) for randomized controlled trials published in English and Chinese. Outcome measures of interests were body temperature and thermal comfort.

REVIEW METHODS: Cochrane methods, Quality of evidence (GRADE) assessments and Jadad Quality Score were used.

RESULTS: Twenty-nine trials (1875 patients) met inclusion criteria, including seven trials (502 patients) related to thermal comfort. Results showed that: (1) forced-air warming was more effective than passive insulation and circulating-water mattresses; (2) there was no statistically significant difference among forced-air warming, resistive heating blankets, radiant warming systems and circulating-water garments; and (3) that thermal comfort provided by forced-air warming was superior to that of passive insulation, resistive heating blankets and radiant warming systems, but inferior to that of circulating-water mattresses.

CONCLUSIONS: Forced-air warming prevents perioperative hypothermia more effectively than passive insulation and circulating-water mattresses, whereas there is no statistically significant difference in its effectiveness compared with circulating-water garments, resistive heating blankets and radiant warming systems.