Why is intraoperative warming important and which methods are used?

• A. To prevent hypothermia and coagulopathy; Forced-air warming blankets, bair hugger, warmed IV fluids
• B. To speed recovery by cooling
• C. To increase patient comfort with cold blankets
• D. To reduce blood pressure by warming

Answer: (A)

Maintaining normal body temperature during surgery is essential because anesthesia, exposure, and the operating room environment promote heat loss, which can lead to hypothermia. Hypothermia impairs coagulation, increases blood loss, raises infection risk, disrupts drug metabolism, and can delay recovery. Therefore intraoperative warming focuses on preventing hypothermia and its related complications. The most effective and commonly used methods include forcing-air warming blankets that deliver warm air to the skin (such as a bair hugger) and warming intravenous fluids to reduce heat loss through infusions. These together help keep core temperature stable and improve outcomes. The other options describe cooling or incorrect benefits (cooling to speed recovery, cold blankets for comfort, or warming to lower blood pressure), which do not align with the goal of preventing hypothermia and protecting coagulation and recovery.