Warming of patients during Caesarean section: a telephone survey

Anaesthesia. 2009 Jan;64(1):50-3. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2044.2008.05677.x.

Abstract

We contacted the duty obstetric anaesthetist in 219 of the 220 consultant-led maternity units in the UK (99.5%) and asked about departmental and individual practice regarding temperature management during Caesarean section. Warming during elective Caesarean section was routine in 35 units (16%). Intravenous fluid warmers were available in 213 units (97%), forced air warmers were available in 211 (96%) and warming mattresses were available in 42 (19%). Only 18 (8%) departments had specific guidelines for temperature management during Caesarean section. Personal intra-operative practice was variable, although all of those contacted would initiate some form of active temperature management after a mean (SD) volume of blood loss of 1282 (404) ml, length of surgery of 78 (24) min, or core body temperature (if measured) of median (IQR [range]), 36 (35.5-36 [34-37.2]) degrees C.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Cesarean Section*
  • Female
  • Health Care Surveys
  • Heating / instrumentation
  • Heating / methods
  • Heating / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Hypothermia / prevention & control*
  • Intraoperative Care / instrumentation
  • Intraoperative Care / methods*
  • Intraoperative Care / statistics & numerical data
  • Intraoperative Complications / prevention & control
  • Patient Selection
  • Postoperative Complications / prevention & control
  • Pregnancy
  • United Kingdom