Room Temperature Versus Warm Irrigation Fluid Used for Patients Undergoing Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta Analysis.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to analyze whether warm irrigation fluid could reduce postoperative adverse effects in patients undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery compared with room temperature irrigation fluid.

DESIGN

A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials was performed.

METHODS

A computerized search of electronic databases was performed. The inclusion criteria were studies comparing the clinical effects of room temperature and warm irrigation fluid on patients undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery.

FINDINGS: Warm irrigation fluid reduced the degree of core body temperature drop and the incidence of hypothermia. A statistically lower incidence of shivering also occurred in the warm irrigation fluid group.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of warm irrigation fluid better maintains core body temperature and reduces incidence of shivering than room temperature irrigation fluid. Therefore, warm irrigation fluid is a better choice for arthroscopic shoulder surgery.