British journal of anaesthesia
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Hypothermia during laparotomy can be prevented by locally applied warm water and pulsating negative pressure.
Conflicting results have been obtained when using heat and constant negative pressure applied to the arm to induce re-warming in patients with mild hypothermia due to surgery. We hypothesized that pulsating negative pressure would increase skin blood flow and thus heat transfer. The purpose of this study was to compare a new method of applying heat and pulsating negative pressure to the skin with conventional forced-air warming for preventing perioperative hypothermia. ⋯ Warm water and pulsating negative pressure was significantly better at treating hypothermia during laparotomy than forced-air warming.