Pre-warming Prevents Hypothermia in Elective Cesarean Section

Background: Hypothermia is common during general and regional anesthesia even when active warming measures are taken. The existing literature shows that, in pregnant patients, the use of forced air-warming during cesarean section under spinal anesthesia does not prevent maternal hypothermia. Therefore, this study aimed to establish the efficacy of a pre-warming system, initiated 30 minutes before the onset of spinal anesthesia and during surgery, in pregnant women subjected to elective cesarean delivery. Methods: Forty healthy pregnant patients undergoing elective cesarean section with spinal anesthesia were allocated to the control group (Gcont, n = 20), without the use of a thermal gown, and to the gown group (Ggown, n = 20), with the use of a thermal gown in the preoperative care unit, 30 minutes before spinal anesthesia installation and during surgery. After the anesthesia, the thermal gown was moved from the regular position and placed over the chest and upper limbs, as an upper body blanket, and maintained throughout the study. The following variables were observed: preoperative and operative room temperature, hemoglobin saturation, heart rate, arterial pressure, tympanic temperature in the preoperative care unit room (baseline) and at 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 minutes after spinal anesthesia. Repeated Measure ANCOVA compared temperatures of each group, adjusted for baseline values.