Aluminium Release and Fluid Warming: Provocational Setting and Devices at Risk

BACKGROUND: Fluid warming, recommended for fluid rates of > 500 ml h-1, is an integral part of patient temperature management strategies. Fluid warming devices using an uncoated aluminum containing heating element have been reported to liberate aluminum resulting in critical aluminum concentrations in heated fluids. We investigated saline solution (0.9%), artificially spiked with organic acids to determine the influence of fluid composition on aluminum liberation using the uncoated enFlow® device. Additionally the Level1® as a high volume fluid warming device and the ThermoSens® device were investigated. RESULTS: Saline solution spiked with lactate more than acetate, especially at a non acid pH, led to high aluminum liberation. Next to the enFlow® device, aluminum liberation was observed for the Level1® device, but not for the coated TermoSens®-device. CONCLUSION: Uncoated aluminum containing fluid warming devices lead to potential toxic levels of aluminum in heated fluids, especially in non acid fluids containing organic acids and their salts.

Effects of 10-min prewarming on core body temperature during gynecologic laparoscopic surgery under general anesthesia: a randomized controlled trial

Background: Previous research has shown a beneficial effect of prewarming for preventing inadvertent perioperative hypothermia. However, there are few studies of the effects of a short prewarming period, especially in gynecologic laparoscopic surgery. Methods: Fifty-four patients were randomly assigned to 2 groups. Patients in the non-prewarming group were only warmed intraoperatively with a forced air warming device, while those in the prewarming group were warmed for 10 min before anesthetic induction and during the surgery. The primary outcome was incidence of intraoperative hypothermia.Results: Intraoperative hypothermia was observed in 73.1% of the patients in the non-prewarming group and 24% of the patients in the prewarming group (P < 0.001). There were significant differences in core temperature changes between the groups (P < 0.001). Postoperative shivering occurred in 8 of the 26 (30.8%) patients in the non-prewarming group and in 1 of the 25 (4.0%) patients in the prewarming group (P = 0.024).Conclusions: Forced air warming for 10 min before induction on the operating table combined with intraoperative warming was an effective method to prevent hypothermia in patients undergoing gynecologic laparoscopic surgery.

A Novel Approach to Maintaining Normothermia in Major Spinal Deformity Surgery with an Esophageal Warming Device

Maintenance of normothermia is a priority during major spinal deformity surgery. However, this is difficult due to the large body surface area exposed to ambient temperatures. We report the novel use of an esophageal warming device, added to standard care, to maintain normothermia in three patients. We conclude that esophageal warming is feasible in major spine surgery with no apparent complications. Safety and efficacy, as compared to standard warming devices, will need to be determined in future prospective trials.