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Use of a pneumatic tourniquet induces changes in central temperature
J P Estebe1, A Le Naoures, Y Malledant
1Département d'Anesthésie Réanimation Chirurgical, Centre Hospitalier Régional, Rennes, France.
British Journal of Anaesthesia
|December 1, 1996
Summary
Pneumatic tourniquet use during orthopaedic surgery can increase core body temperature, especially with active warming. Temperature changes were observed in oesophageal and rectal monitoring, with a transient decrease after tourniquet removal.
Area of Science:
- Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine
- Orthopaedic Surgery
- Thermoregulation
Background:
- Maintaining stable core body temperature is crucial during surgical procedures.
- Pneumatic tourniquets are commonly used in orthopaedic surgery, but their effect on patient thermoregulation is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of pneumatic tourniquet use on core body temperature during orthopaedic surgery.
- To compare the effects of passive insulation versus active forced-air warming in patients undergoing tourniquet application.
Main Methods:
- Twenty-six patients undergoing orthopaedic surgery were monitored for oesophageal and rectal temperature.
- Twenty patients received a pneumatic tourniquet and were divided into a passive insulation group (Pg) and a forced-air warming group (Fg).
- Six patients without a tourniquet served as a reference group (Rg).
Main Results:
- Oesophageal temperature increased significantly during tourniquet inflation compared to the reference group.
- Active forced-air warming (Fg) resulted in significantly higher oesophageal temperatures than passive insulation (Pg) after 30 minutes.
- Rectal temperature changes mirrored oesophageal trends but were significantly delayed.
Conclusions:
- Pneumatic tourniquet use is associated with an increase in core body temperature during orthopaedic surgery.
- Active forced-air warming enhances this temperature increase compared to passive insulation.
- The observed decrease in temperature post-deflation may be due to blood redistribution from a cooled limb.
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