Effect of Thermal Reflective Blanket Placement on Hypothermia in Primary Unilateral Total Hip or Knee Arthroplasty

PurposeHypothermia in patients undergoing major clean surgery results in higher incidence of perioperative complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the additional use of a thermal reflective blanket can prevent hypothermia in patients undergoing primary unilateral total hip or knee replacement surgery.DesignA randomized, single-blinded study design was used.MethodsA total of 58 patients were randomized, 29 received a thermal reflective blanket, and 29 did not. Outcome measures included core temperature, thermal comfort, and shivering.FindingsThe mean of the lowest core temperature was below 36°C in both the groups (35.9 ± 0.4°C vs 35.8 ± 0.4°C); thermal comfort and shivering were not significantly different between the groups.ConclusionsA thermal reflective blanket did not prevent hypothermia in this group of patients.