Influence of a Forced Air Warming System on Morbidly Obese Patients Undergoing Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass.

Background: Hypothermia during and after major abdominal surgery decreases host defenses, increases the incidence of coagulopathy and may alter blood pressure, cardiac contractility and myocardial stability. Methods: We designed a prospective randomized study to compare the benefits of a forced air warming system with warm blanket treatments in minimizing the effects of hypothermia on 64 morbidly obese patients undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Results: Patients in the forced air warming group ( n = 32) had significantly higher perioperative body core temperature, lower central venous pressure and blood pressure readings, lower incidence of shivering, less blood loss intraoperatively and achieved a higher post anesthesia Aldrete Score than those patients in the warmed blanket group ( n = 32). Conclusion: The forced air warming system is safe, cost effective and beneficial in minimizing the undesirable consequences of hypothermia in morbidly obese patients undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]