Effects of Forced Air Warming on Body Temperature, Shivering and Pain in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Patients

Park, Sung Joo; Kim, Sook Young

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of forced air warming on intraoperative and postoperative body temperature, postoperative shivering and pain in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
METHODS
A quasi-experimental design with nonequivalent control group was utilized. Fifty eight patients scheduled for laparoscopic cholecystectomy were recruited and assigned to the experimental group (n=29) or control group (n=29). For the experimental group, forced air warming was applied from right after induction and up to one hour after surgery. Body temperature, shivering score and pain score were measured in both groups at 15 minute intervals. Data were collected from September, 2013 to April, 2014. Data were analyzed using t-test, Bonferroni test and repeated measures ANOVA.
RESULTS
The experimental group showed higher body temperature than the control group during surgery. After surgery the experimental group showed higher body temperature, lower shivering and less pain compared to the control group.
CONCLUSION
Results show that forced air warming is effective in enhancing body temperature and reducing shivering and pain. Therefore, forced air warming is recommended as an operative nursing intervention.