Patient warming; a necessary technique for pre, peri and post-operative interventions
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Hypothalamus is the temperature control center of the human body, despite temperature it also regulates various functions. During surgical intervention this center becomes vulnerable, and the patient warming method becomes essential to make the surgical process more feasible.
The temperature controlling involves Pre (before), Peri (around), and Post (after) operative time because, at a lower temperature (hypothermia), the body’s metabolic demand lessens; making the surgical period life-saving as well. Also
- It is responsible for infection control
- Lessen body’s oxygen demand
- Preserve organs
- Make anesthesia intervention easier
And much more, same as hyperthermia (warmth) is induced to make the patient’s temperature normal i.e. 37 centigrade. Hence all these conditions may vary according to the surgical procedure and duration. (1)
What is normothermia?
Normothermia is known as controlling body temperature to normal. Before and after surgery patients should be kept to normothermia, for proper body functioning. There arises a concept of radiation, convection, and conduction.
These all are heat transferring methods used all around the world to understand the transformation of heat from one body to another.
The conduction is transferring of heat energy from an object with higher kinetic energy to lower kinetic energy. This refers to the loss of heat from the skin to the air.
Convection takes place through fluid or air, while radiation does not need any medium it is just a simple heat transfer.
Why normothermia is important?
During hospital stay normothermia become necessary as it;
- Reduce hospital stay
- Lessen infectious diseases
- Decrease chances of heart emergencies
- Control the surgical bleed
Bair Hugging System
For this reason, to control and manage patient temperature, the Bair hugging system is used in the form of disposable blankets. This system is used during, before, and after surgery on the bed due to the sudden heat loss of the patient to the surrounding.
It is a basic method to control convection and radiation, used everywhere in the world for major and minor surgeries. (2)
Fluid Warmers
Fluid warmers work through the convection method, overcoming hypothermia via crystalloids, colloids, or blood products. This method is used during and before surgery to prevent heat loss from the patient body. This method is usually done during cardiac surgeries and other surgeries that require a long anesthetized period.
Air Free Patient Warming
It is a new method of controlling patient temperature during surgery without air or any other medium. As it decreases the chance of infection because bed sole is an authentic issue for every surgical patient. Due to less contact of fluid or any other medium between patient and warmer, it makes sure to decrease pathogenesis.
Similarly, due to this latest method of heat conservation, energy loss can be prevented to higher levels.
Hence it is proven that maintaining a normal body temperature is necessary for the patient’s wellbeing. Here Lateral Medical Australia is such a solution to aid the surgical team with better interventions. This site not only tells about critical care solutions but also about Gynecology, ENT, infection control, and orthopedic solutions as well.
