Perioperative hypothermia in colorectal surgeries: are we doing enough to prevent it?

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence of hypothermia in patients undergoing colorectal surgery, and to identify factors that increase vulnerability to perioperative hypothermia. METHODS: The retrospective study was conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, and comprised medical records from May 2012 to June 2017 related to all patients aged >16 years of either gender who underwent colorectal procedures. Analysis about predictors of perioperative hypothermia was done using Stata 12. RESULTS: Of the 100 patients, 69(69%) were males. The overall mean age was 50.2±16.7 years. Majority cases had elective presentation 72(72%). Incidence of perioperative hypothermia was noted in 74(74%) patients. Postoperative morbidity was 16(16%), while mortality was 4(4%). Elective presentation and hypothermia before surgery were significantly associated with occurrence of intraoperative hypothermia (odds ratio 4.5 and 1.3 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Perioperative incidence of hypothermia was found to be quite high despite appropriate measures. Factors responsible need to be explored and rectified.