Evaluation of the Effect of Surgical Drapes on Intraoperative Hypothermia: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Many patients experience unintended hypothermia in intraoperative processes. This randomized clinical trial aims to investigate the impact of surgical drapes on hypothermia during the intraoperative period. A randomized clinical trial was conducted from April 2019 to November 2020 in the Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation/Operating Rooms at an education and research hospital. Out of 205 patients assessed for eligibility, 74 underwent elective abdominal surgery and were randomized into two groups: nonwoven surgical drapes and woven surgical drapes. The study had two stages: preoperative and intraoperative. Preoperative data were collected using information and evaluation forms, while intraoperative assessment involved forms for wetness and weight. Tympanic and esophageal temperatures were recorded every 15 minutes, and surgical drapes were weighed with a precision scale before and after surgery. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of body mass index, irrigation amount, surgery duration, gender, and preoperative shivering (p > 0.05). A statistically significant difference was found in preoperative body temperature (36°C), type of surgery, and intraoperative hypothermia (p < 0.05). Both types of surgical drapes were wet, but this difference was not statistically significant between the nonwoven group (mean ± SD [1368 ± 607]) and the woven group (mean ± SD [1335 ± 636], p = 0.824). This study demonstrated that neither woven nor nonwoven surgical drapes, nor the wetness of the surgical drapes, had a significant effect on intraoperative hypothermia. However, there is a need for randomized controlled trials involving uniform types of surgery related to the topic.