Effect of thermal reflective blanket placement on hypothermia in primary unilateral total hip or knee arthroplasty.

PURPOSE: Hypothermia in patients undergoing major clean surgery results in higher incidence of perioperative complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the additional use of a thermal reflective blanket can prevent hypothermia in patients undergoing primary unilateral total hip or knee replacement surgery.

DESIGN

A randomized, single-blinded study design was used.

METHODS

A total of 58 patients were randomized, 29 received a thermal reflective blanket, and 29 did not. Outcome measures included core temperature, thermal comfort, and shivering.

FINDINGS: The mean of the lowest core temperature was below 36°C in both the groups (35.9±0.4°C vs 35.8±0.4°C); thermal comfort and shivering were not significantly different between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

A thermal reflective blanket did not prevent hypothermia in this group of patients.