The Efficacy of External Warming During Laparoscopic Bariatric Surgery

The Efficacy of External Warming During Laparoscopic Bariatric Surgery

External warming is routinely used in general surgery to offset the deleterious effects of hypothermia. It entails deployment of a disposable, external heating blanket attached to a regulated hot-air pump.

The need for external warming in the morbidly obese population undergoing short laparoscopic procedures is unclear. If proven to be unnecessary, time and momentary costs could be lowered.

The study will compare core-temperature dynamics during laparoscopic bariatric procedures anticipated to last <2h. The study group will be left without a warming blanket while the control group will receive routine external warming. Post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) arrival temperature will also be recorded.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Eligible for bariatric surgery
• Surgery time estimated to be < 2 hours

Exclusion Criteria:

• Previous abdominal surgeries (except laparoscopic cholecystectomies, appendectomies and hysterectomies+/-oophorectomies).
• Surgery time estimated to be more than 2 hours