Perioperative hypothermia during hip fracture surgery: An observational study

Elderly patients are at high risk of accidental perioperative hypothermia. The primary objective of this study was to measure the changes in body temperature and the incidence of hypothermia in elderly patients undergoing hip fracture surgery.

We conducted a prospective observational study on all adult patients undergoing surgery for fractured neck of femur between December 2013 and July 2014. We monitored their temperatures in different perioperative areas at multiple time points and also noted the warming methods used.

Eighty-seven patients were included in this study. A significant drop in body temperature (0.7°C, 95% CI: 0.6-0.9, P < 0.001) occurred from their arrival at the operating theatre until their arrival at the recovery room. A significant drop of 0.2°C (95% CI: 0.1-0.4, P < 0.001) was observed at the holding bay area. One third of the patients were noted to be hypothermic when they arrived at the recovery room.

These results indicate that despite the use of active warming methods for most patients, significant hypothermia is still an issue amongst elderly patients undergoing hip fracture surgery. Further improvement is necessary to prevent hypothermia in this high-risk group of patients.