The Effect of Perioperative Warming Measures for Major Abdominal Surgery on Postoperative Hypothermia

Aim of the study: was to determine the effect of perioperative warming measures for major abdominal surgery on postoperative hypothermia. Setting: The current study was conducted in operating room at Emergency Hospital of Menoufia University, Menoufia Governorate. Subjects: A purposive sample consists of 100 adult patients undergoing major abdominal surgery were randomly divided and assigned alternatively into two equal groups; 50 for each group. Tools: Three tools were used for data collection. Structured interview questionnaire: knowledge assessment sheet, perioperative assessment sheet, and shivering scale. Results: There was a highly significant difference between study and control groups regarding mean perioperative temperature at all times of interval of measurements p<0.001.Also there was a highly significant difference between study and control groups concerning postoperative shiveringP<0.001. Conclusions: Usage of perioperative warming measures for major abdominal surgery has a positive effect on the prevention of postoperative hypothermia and shivering. Recommendations: All staff of surgical nurses should be encouraged to be familial with perioperative warming measures and use these measures in order to maintain perioperative normothermia and prevent postoperative hypothermia.