Preoperative Hyperthermia in Major Abdominal Surgery Patients

Preoperative Whole-Body Hyperthermia in Patients Undergoing Major Abdominal Cancer Surgery: A Randomized Pilot Study

The investigators hypothesize that preoperative hyperthermia improves postoperative complications and compare a placebo group with standard thermoregulatory management (normothermia) to a treatment group receiving 2,5 hours of hyperthermia (38.5-39.5 °C core temperature) in a randomized, single blinded, controlled trial.

The investigators hypothesize that preoperative hyperthermia improves postoperative complications and compare a placebo group with standard thermoregulatory management (normothermia) to a treatment group receiving 2,5 hours of hyperthermia (38.5-39.5 °C core temperature) in a randomized, single blinded, controlled trial.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male and female patients, age 18 - 75
• Open abdominal, curative cancer surgery > 2 h

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnancy
• Chronic cortisone treatment
• Ongoing chemotherapy
• Acute infections, septic surgery
• Palliative surgery (e.g. debulking only)