Effect of a radiant heater on post-operative hypothermia: comparison with a reflective blanket

Thirty patients with post-operative hypothermia following major surgery (thoracic, abdominal, orthopaedic) were allocated randomly to either active warming with a radiant heater (500 W) or passive rewarming with a reflective blanket. Rectal temperature, mean skin temperature (at four measuring sites), continuous haemoglobin saturation and shivering were measured for 2 h post-operatively. Although post-operative heat supply with a radiant heater resulted in faster rewarming, there were no differences between the two groups with respect to haemoglobin saturation and shivering.