Randomized non-inferiority trial of the vitalHEAT™ Temperature Management System vs the Bair Hugger® warmer during total knee arthroplasty

The Utility of Perioperative Products for the Prevention of Surgical Site Infections in Total Knee Arthroplasty and Lower Extremity Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review

Surgical site infections (SSIs) are among the most prevalent and devastating complications following lower extremity total joint arthroplasty (TJA). Strategies to reduce the rates can be divided into preoperative, perioperatives, and postoperative measures. A multicenter trial is underway to evaluate the efficacy of implementing a bundled care program for SSI prevention in lower extremity TJA including: (1) nasal decolonization; (2) surgical skin antisepsis; (3) antimicrobial incise draping; (4) temperature management; and (5) negative-pressure wound therapy for selected high-risk patients. The purposes of this systematic review were to provide a background and then to summarize the available evidence pertaining to each of these SSI-reduction strategies with special emphasis on total knee arthroplasty. A systematic review of the literature was conducted in accordance with the 2009 Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement guidelines. Five individual literature searches were performed to identify studies evaluating nasal decolonization temperature management, surgical skin antisepsis, antimicrobial incise draping, and negative-pressure wound therapy. The highest level of evidence reports was used in each product review, and if there were insufficient arthroplasty papers on the particular topic, then papers were further culled from the surgical specialties to form the basis for the review. There was sufficient literature to assess all of the various prophylactic and preventative techniques. All five products used in the bundled program were supported for use as prophylactic agents or for the direct reduction of SSIs in both level I and II studies. This systematic review showed that various pre-, intra-, and postoperative strategies are efficacious in decreasing the risks of SSIs following lower extremity TJA procedures. Thus, including them in the armamentarium for SSI-reduction strategies for hip and knee arthroplasty surgeons should decrease the incidence of infections. We expect that the combined use of these products in an upcoming study will support these findings and may further enhance the reduction of total knee arthroplasty SSIs in a synergistic manner.

The effectiveness of air-free warming systems on perioperative hypothermia in total hip and knee arthroplasty: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Perioperative hypothermia is a common and serious complication during surgery. Different warming systems are used to prevent perioperative hypothermia. However, there have been no previous meta-analyses of the effectiveness of air-free warming systems on perioperative hypothermia in patients undergoing joint arthroplasty.

METHODS

We systematically searched PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from inception to August 2018. These RCTs compared the effects of air-free warming with forced-air (FA) warming system in patients undergoing joint arthroplasty. Postoperative temperature, core temperature during surgery, thermal comfort, blood loss and incidence of shivering and hypothermia were analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 287 patients from 6 clinical studies were included in the analysis. In summary, there was no significant difference in the postoperative temperature (WMD -0.043, 95% CI -0.32 to 0.23, P = .758) between the air-free warming and FA warming groups. No statistical difference (WMD 0.058, 95% CI -0.10 to 0.22, P = .475) was found in core temperatures at 0 minutes during surgery between the air-free warming and FA warming groups. Furthermore, there was no statistical difference in thermal comfort, blood loss or incidence of shivering and hypothermia between the air-free warming and FA warming groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Air-free warming system was as effective as FA warming system in patients undergoing joint arthroplasty.

The Effect of Intraoperative Hypothermia on Shoulder Arthroplasty

Limited evidence is available regarding the correlation between intraoperative hypothermia and perioperative complications in shoulder arthroplasty. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of intraoperative hypothermia in patients treated with shoulder arthroplasty and its effect on perioperative complications. A retrospective chart review was performed on 657 consecutive patients who underwent shoulder arthroplasty at a single institution between August 2013 and June 2016. Demographic data, surgery-specific data, postoperative complications, length of stay, and 30-day read-mission were recorded. Patients were classified as hypothermic if their mean intraoperative temperature was less than 36°C. Statistical analyses with univariate and multivariate logistic regression were performed to evaluate the association of intraoperative hypothermia with perioperative complications. The incidence of intraoperative hypothermia in shoulder arthroplasty was 52.7%. Increasing age (P=.002), lower body mass index (P=.006), interscalene anesthetic (P=.004), and lower white blood cell count (P<.001) demonstrated increased association with hypothermia. Longer operating room times and increased estimated blood loss were not found to be associated with intraoperative hypothermia. Hypothermia demonstrated no significant association with surgical site infections nor any other perioperative complications. Patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty showed a high incidence of intraoperative hypothermia. Lower body mass index, increasing age, interscalene anesthetic, and lower white blood cell count were associated with an increased incidence of hypothermia. Contrary to previous studies, intraoperative hypothermia was not found to contribute to perioperative complications in shoulder arthroplasty. [Orthopedics. 2018; 41(4):e523-e528.].

High Efficiency Particulate Air Filters Do Not Affect Acute Infection Rates During Primary Total Joint Arthroplasty Using Forced Air Warmers

BACKGROUND

Studies have suggested that forced-air warmers (FAWs) increase contamination of the surgical site. In response, FAWs with high efficiency particulate air filters (FAW-HEPA) were introduced. This study compared infection rates following primary total joint arthroplasty (TJA) using FAW and FAW-HEPA.

METHODS

Primary TJA patients at a single healthcare system were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 5405 THA (n = 2419) and TKA (n = 2986) consecutive cases in 2013 and 2015 were identified. Patients in 2013 (n = 2792) had procedures using FAW, while FAW-HEPA was used in 2015 (n = 2613). The primary outcome was overall infection rate within 90-days. Sub-categorization of infections as periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) or surgical site infection (SSI) was also conducted. PJI was defined as reoperation with arthrotomy or meeting Musculoskeletal Infection Society (MSIS) criteria. SSI was defined as wound complications requiring antibiotics or irrigation/debridement.

RESULTS

The FAW and FAW-HEPA groups had similar rates of overall infection (1.65% [n = 46] vs 1.61% [n = 42], P > .99), SSI (1.18% [n = 33] vs 0.84% [n = 22], P = .27), and PJI (0.47% [n = 13] vs 0.77% [n = 20], P = .22). Regression models did not show FAW to be an independent risk factor for increased overall infection (odds ratio [OR] 1.00, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.65-1.57, P = .97), SSI (OR 1.47, 95% CI 0.83-2.58, P = .18), or PJI (OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.25-1.13, P = .09).

CONCLUSION

FAW were not correlated with a higher risk of overall infection, SSI, or PJI during TJA when compared to FAW-HEPA devices.

A novel thermal compression device for perioperative warming: a randomized trial for feasibility and efficacy

Background

Inadvertent perioperative hypothermia (IPH) leads to surgical complications and increases length of stay. IPH rates are high with the current standard of care, forced air warming (FAW). Our hypothesis is that a prototype thermal compression device that heats the popliteal fossa and soles of the feet, with lower leg compression, increases perioperative temperatures and reduces IPH compared to the current standard of care.

Methods

Thirty six female breast surgery patients, at a tertiary academic hospital, were randomized to the device or intraoperative FAW (stage I) with a further 18 patients randomized to the device with a single heating area only (stage II, popliteal fossa or sole of the feet). Stage I: 37 patients recruited (final 36). Stage II: 18 patients recruited (final 18). Inclusion criteria: general anesthesia with esophageal monitoring for over 30 min, legs available and able to fit the device and no contraindications to leg heating or compression. The intervention was: Stage I: Investigational prototype thermal compression device (full device group) or intraoperative FAW. Stage II: Device with only a single heating location. Primary outcomes were perioperative temperatures and incidence of IPH. Secondary outcomes were local skin temperature, general and thermal comfort scores and presence of perioperative complications, including blood loss.

Results

Mean temperatures in the full device group were significantly higher than the FAW group in the pre-operative (36.7 vs 36.4 °C, p < 0.001), early intraoperative (36.3 vs 35.9 °C, p < 0.001), intraoperative (36.6 vs 36.2 °C, p < 0.001) and postoperative periods (36.8 vs 36.5 °C, p < 0.001). The incidence of IPH in the device group was also significantly lower (16.7% vs 72.0%, p = 0.001). Thermal comfort scores were significantly higher in the full device group and hypothermia associated wound complications were higher in the FAW group.

Conclusions

The thermal compression device is feasible and has efficacy over the FAW. Further studies are recommended to investigate clinically significant outcomes.

Trial registration

clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02155400)

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12871-017-0395-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Reflective Blankets Are as Effective as Forced Air Warmers in Maintaining Patient Normothermia During Hip and Knee Arthroplasty Surgery

BACKGROUND

The use of forced air warming devices in the operating room has been shown to cause disruption of laminar airflow and a potential for increase in surgical site contamination. In contrast, conductive warming devices such as reflective blankets do not disrupt airflow and therefore have no potential for this increase in surgical site infection. However, some studies have shown them to be inferior to forced air warming devices in maintaining normothermia. We tested the hypothesis that the use of reflective blankets is as effective as forced air warming devices in maintaining intraoperative normothermia after adequate prewarming.

METHODS

We performed a randomized, controlled trial of 50 patients undergoing hip or knee arthroplasty using a protocol of prewarming followed by application of either forced air warming device or a reflective blanket and recording the patients sublingual temperature at a 15-minute interval till arrival in the post-anesthesia care unit.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in the sublingual temperatures in the 2 groups at any time point.

CONCLUSION

Our study shows that after a period of adequate prewarming, the use of reflective blankets is as effective as the use of forced air warming devices in maintaining normothermia in patients undergoing hip or knee arthroplasty.

Intraoperative Hypothermia in Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) are common and successful orthopedic procedures, and as their frequency continues to increase substantially, the focus on limiting perioperative complications heightens. Intraoperative normothermia is recommended to minimize additional complications, but limited evidence exists regarding the effect of hypothermia on orthopedic patients. The purpose of this retrospective study was to determine the incidence of perioperative hypothermia in the setting of TKA and THA, and to evaluate its impact on complications and outcomes. The clinical records of 2580 consecutive patients who underwent TKA or THA at a single institution between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2013 were reviewed. After excluding patients with complex or revision procedures, a total of 2397 patients comprised the study population. Patient demographic data, surgery-specific data, postoperative complications, length of hospital stay, and 30-day readmission were recorded. Patients with a mean intraoperative temperature less than 36°C were identified as hypothermic. Statistical analysis evaluated associations with hypothermia and the effect on complications and outcomes. The incidence of mean intraoperative hypothermia was 37%, 43.9%, and 32.6% for arthroplasty, THA, and TKA, respectively. General anesthesia was significantly associated with hypothermia (P<.001). Women and THA patients were at higher risk for hypothermia. In the arthroplasty and THA cohorts, longer operating room time and re-warmer use were associated with hypothermia (P=.010). Overall, hypothermia was associated with increased estimated blood loss, but no increase in associated transfusion was demonstrated (P=.006). Hypothermia was not associated with postoperative complications. [Orthopedics. 2017; 40(1):56-63.].

The Nurse Anesthetists' Adherence to Swedish National Recommendations to Maintain Normothermia in Patients During Surgery

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to determine if nurse anesthetists (NAs) have access, knowledge, and adhere to recommended guidelines to maintain normal body temperature during the perioperative period.

DESIGN

A descriptive survey design.

METHODS

Questionnaires were sent to heads of the department (n = 56) and NAs in the operating departments in Sweden.

FINDING

The level of access to the recommendations is high, but only one third of the operating departments have included the recommendations in their own local guidelines. The NAs' adherence was low, between 5% and 67%, and their knowledge levels were 57% to 60%.

CONCLUSIONS

A high level of knowledge, access, and adherence are important for the organization of operating departments to prevent barriers against implementation of new recommendations or guidelines. There are needs for education about patients' heat loss due to redistribution and clear recommendations.

Peri-operative warming devices: performance and clinical application

Since the adverse consequences of accidental peri-operative hypothermia have been recognised, there has been a rapid expansion in the development of new warming equipment designed to prevent it. This is a review of peri-operative warming devices and a critique of the evidence assessing their performance. Forced-air warming is a common and extensively tested warming modality that outperforms passive insulation and water mattresses, and is at least as effective as resistive heating. More recently developed devices include circulating water garments, which have shown promising results due to their ability to cover large surface areas, and negative pressure devices aimed at improving subcutaneous perfusion for warming. We also discuss the challenge of fluid warming, looking particularly at how devices' performance varies according to flow rate. Our ultimate aim is to provide a guide through the bewildering array of devices on the market so that clinicians can make informed and accurate choices for their particular hospital environment.

High incidence of postoperative hypothermia in total knee and total hip arthroplasty: a prospective observational study

Hypothermia, a body temperature of <36°C, has been shown to increase cardiac mortality, the incidence of postoperative infections, and the length of hospitalization following general surgery. However, studies assessing the incidence of hypothermia during primary total hip and total knee arthroplasty (THA and TKA) have not previously been demonstrated. In this prospective observational study, incidence of hypothermia was measured among 672 patients (415 underwent THA and 257 TKA). The incidence of hypothermia for THA and TKA was 26.3 and 28.0%, respectively. In conclusion, over a quarter of patients in this study are exposed to hypothermia. This study highlights the requirement for interventions to prevent peri-operative hypothermia.

Active cutaneous warming systems to prevent intraoperative hypothermia: a systematic review

This study analyzed the evidence available in the literature concerning the effectiveness of different active cutaneous warming systems to prevent intraoperative hypothermia. This is a systematic review with primary studies found in the following databases: CINAHL, EMBASE, Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials and Medline. The sample comprised 23 randomized controlled trials. There is evidence in the literature indicating that the circulating water garment system is the most effective in maintaining patient body temperature. These results can support nurses in the decision-making process concerning the implementation of effective measures to maintain normothermia, though the decision of health services concerning which system to choose should also take into account its cost-benefit status given the cost related to the acquisition of such systems.

Forced-air and a novel patient-warming system (vitalHEAT vH2) comparably maintain normothermia during open abdominal surgery

BACKGROUND

The vitalHEAT vH(2) (Dynatherm Medical, Inc., Fremont, California) system transfers heat through a single extremity using a combination of conductive heat (circulating warm water within soft fluid pads) with mild vacuum, which improves both vasodilation and contact between the heating element and the skin surface. We tested the hypothesis that core temperatures were not >0.5°C lower in patients warmed with the vitalHEAT system than with forced air.

METHODS

Patients having general anesthesia for open abdominal surgery were randomly assigned to the circulating-water sleeve on 1 arm (n = 37) or an upper-body forced-air warming cover (n = 34). Patients were eligible to participate when body mass index was 20 to 36 kg/m(2), age was 18 to 75 years, and ASA physical status was 1 to 3. Intraoperative distal esophageal (core) temperatures were recorded. Repeated-measures analysis and 1-tailed t tests were used to assess noninferiority of vitalHEAT to forced air using a noninferiority δ of -0.5°C.

RESULTS

Demographic and morphometric characteristics were similar, as were surgical details. Preoperative core temperatures were similar in each group. Intraoperative core temperatures were also similar with each warming system and were significantly noninferior during the first four hours of surgery. The observed difference in means was never more than about 0.2°C. After 4 hours of surgery, the average temperature was 36.3°C ± 0.6°C (mean ± sd) with the circulating-water sleeve (n = 18) and 36.4°C ± 0.5°C with forced air (n = 20), for a difference (95% confidence interval) of -0.21°C (-0.47, 0.06).

CONCLUSIONS

The 2 systems thus apparently transfer comparable amounts of heat. Both appear suitable for maintaining normothermia even during large and long operations.