Prospective Trial of the Effect of Preoperative Forced-air Warming on Perioperative Body Temperature Following Neuraxial Anesthesia in Total Hip Arthroplasty Patients

Prospective Randomized Control Trial of the Effect of Preoperative Forced-air Warming on Perioperative Body Temperature Following Neuraxial Anesthesia in Total Hip Arthroplasty Patients

The purpose of this study is to determine if placement of a forced-air warming device prior to institution of regional anesthesia improves perioperative temperature control in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty.

Inclusion Criteria:

• patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty under neuraxial anesthesia,
• age 55-85,
• BMI 18-40

Exclusion Criteria:

• allergy to local anesthetics,
• patients electing to have general anesthesia for their total hip arthroplasty,
• pregnancy,
• prisoners,
• patients unable to give informed consent,
• English as a second language,
• active infectious or febrile illness (measured temperature > 37.5 degrees Celsius).