Active Warming during Cesarean Delivery: Should We SCIP It?

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this open, cluster randomized controlled trial was to evaluate whether use of a fiber optic-regulated warming mattress would decrease the incidence of hypothermia in women undergoing cesarean delivery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 484 women were randomized via the cluster method on a rotating weekly basis allocating participants to either use of the warming mattress or the standard method of warming at Parkland Hospital (heat-retaining caps, warmed intravenous and irrigation fluids, and warmed blankets). The primary outcome of interest was maternal hypothermia. Surgical site infections and neonatal outcomes were also assessed. RESULTS: The incidence of maternal hypothermia at the conclusion of the surgery was decreased in the warming mattress group, 67 versus 80% in the standard method group (p = 0.013). There were no significant differences in maternal hypothermia at delivery or on arrival to the postanesthesia care unit. The difference in surgical site infections and neonatal outcomes were nonsignificant. CONCLUSION: Use of a warming mattress reduced the incidence of maternal hypothermia at the conclusion of surgery; however, on admission to the postanesthesia care unit, these effects had dissipated.