Intraoperative continuous intestinal loop warming technique A prospective randomised trial

The aim of this study is to evaluate if the Intraoperative Continuous Intestinal Loop Warming (ICLW) is a valid trick to decrease the postoperative paralytic ileus.

The subjects were patients who underwent emergency open abdominal surgery for either benign or malignant diseases. Patients were divided into two groups; group A patients who was secluded for ICLW, and a control group B who was not secluded for ICLW. The primary outcomes were the time of recovery of bowel movement, 30 days postoperative mortality and morbidity, morbidity was graded by the Clavien-Dindo classification of surgical complications. Secondary outcomes were operative time, and length of hospital stay.

A total numbers of 100 patients were randomly assigned in this prospective study. The mean time of bowel function recovery in the group A was 41.52 hours, whereas for group B was 67.20 hours, these differences were statistically significant with a P value < 0.05. In group B the bowel function recovery for 64% of the patients took between 72-96 hours furthermore, the longest time for peristaltic recovery was 96 hours which was only observed in patients of group B. There were no intra-operative complication in both groups. There is no difference in the two groups in term of 30 day postoperative morbidity.

Intra-operative continuous intestinal loop warming technique is a simple, safe and low cost technique. It seems that intra-operative continuous intestinal loop warming technique maintain tissues hydration and conserve the body temperature limiting the stress response and help in decreasing the incidence of postoperative paralytic ileus.

Paralytic Ileus, Postoperative Care, Warming.