Forced-air warming prevents perioperative hypothermia more effectively than passive insulation and circulating-water mattresses, whereas there is no statistically significant difference in its effectiveness compared with circulating-water garments, resistive heating blankets and radiant warming systems.

Forced-air warming can increase warming efficacy and reduce complications of perioperative hypothermia in patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery.

We investigated the efficacy of a forced-air warming (FAW) system on postoperative rewarming and comfort in patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery. In this randomized controlled trial, a total of 127 participants were randomly divided into the FAW group ( n = 64) and control group ( n = 63). The esophageal temperature was measured every 30 min during surgery, and the tympanic temperature and comfort levels were measured preoperatively and in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU). Data analysis used the generalized estimating equation. We found that there was a lower incidence of postoperative hypothermia in the FAW group compared with the control group, as well as a higher body temperature between 30 and 180 min in the PACU, a shorter time for rewarming, and a higher comfort level. Taken together, these results suggest that FAW is an effective rewarming technique for laparoscopic patients during surgery and in the PACU that improves comfort levels.

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