Clinical practice guideline. Unintentional perioperative hypothermia

Area of Science:

• Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine
• Patient Safety
• Clinical Practice Guidelines

Background:

• Patient safety in the surgical theatre is paramount, driving efforts to control variables affecting surgical outcomes.
• Unintentional hypothermia is a significant concern for the Spanish Society of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Therapeutic Pain (SEDAR), impacting all patients undergoing anesthesia or surgery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address unresolved clinical questions regarding the prevention and management of unintentional hypothermia in surgical patients.
• To develop a clinical practice guideline based on the best available scientific evidence.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the GRADE methodology for evidence assessment.
• Received technical assistance from the Ibero-American Cochrane Collaboration office.
• Formulated recommendations based on synthesized scientific evidence.

Main Results:

• Three weak recommendations favoring active heating methods (skin, fluid, gas) for hypothermia prevention.
• Three recommendations on prioritizing hypothermia prevention strategies (one strong, two weak).
• Two weak recommendations for preheating strategies before anesthetic induction.
• Two recommendations for future research in perioperative hypothermia.

Conclusions:

• The guideline provides evidence-based recommendations to mitigate unintentional hypothermia in surgical patients.
• Active warming and preheating strategies are supported by varying levels of evidence.
• Further research is needed to optimize hypothermia prevention protocols.