SummaryWe conducted a randomised controlled trial to compare the efficacy of forced-air warming (Bair Hugger TM , Augustine Medical model 500 ⁄ OR, Prairie, MN) with that of an electric heating pad (Operatherm 202, KanMed, Sweden) for maintenance of intra-operative body temperature in 60 patients undergoing total knee replacement under combined spinal-epidural anaesthesia. Intra-operative tympanic and rectal temperatures and verbal analogue score for thermal comfort were recorded. There were no differences in any measurements between the two groups, with mean (SD) final rectal temperatures of 36.8 (0.4)°C with forced-air warming and 36.9 (0.4)°C with the electric pad. The heating pad is as effective as forced-air warming for maintenance of intra-operative body temperature.

SummaryA randomised controlled trial was conducted to compare the efficacy of upper body forced-air warming (Bair Hugger TM , Augustine Medical model 500 ⁄ OR, Prairie, MN) with that of an electric heating pad (Operatherm 202, KanMed, Bromma, Sweden) for maintenance of intraoperative body temperature in 60 patients undergoing laparotomy under general anaesthesia. The nasopharyngeal temperature was recorded throughout the operative period. The mean (SD) final temperatures were 36.2 (0.4)°C with forced-air warming and 35.5 (1.0)°C with electric heating pad (p < 0.01). Upper body forced-air warming is more effective than the heating pad for maintenance of body temperature during laparotomy.

In a prospective, randomized study, the effect of age on recovery from remifentanil anaesthesia was evaluated. Twenty consecutive patients classified as ASA 1 and 2 and having elective laparotomy were recruited to one of two groups based on age (Group 1 age <60 y and Group 2 age >60 y). Remifentanil boluses and infusion were used for induction and maintenance of anaesthesia. Dosage was titrated against clinical response to perioperative stimulation and the infusion was terminated at the end of the operation. Time intervals between termination of remifentanil infusion and 1) spontaneous respiration, 2) adequate respiration, 3) eye opening, 4) limb movement, 5) extubation, 6) Aldrete score >9, 7) discharge to recovery room and 8) discharge to the ward were recorded. Patient controlled analgesia with morphine was used for postoperative pain control.Student's t test was used to compare the differences in these time intervals between Groups 1 and 2. A P value <0.05 was taken as significant. We found that the younger age group regained spontaneous respiration (0.8±0.7 min vs 3.2±3.6 min), adequate respiration (3.4±3.7 min vs 7.6±5.8 min), opened their eyes (0.9±1.0 min vs 3.6±4.4 min), had their endotracheal tubes removed (5.0±4.6 min vs 9.0±6.5 min) and were discharged to recovery room (8.8±4.3 min vs 14.5±7.1 min) earlier than their older counterparts. In conclusion, age was a co-variate for recovery from remifentanil anaesthesia.