The effects of intermittent pneumatic compression device on body temperature during propofol-remifentanil anesthesia: A comparison with elastic stockings

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: We hypothesized that intermittent pneumatic compression device (IPCD) compression system might induce more decreases on the core temperature by increasing the lower extremity blood flow. This study investigated the effects of IPCD compression system on the body temperature in patients undergoing minor surgery under propofol-remifentanil anesthesia. METHODS: Forty female patients were randomly assigned to treat with either elastic stockings (ES group, n = 20) or IPCD (IPCD group, n = 20). Anesthesia was induced and maintained with propofol and remifentanil. The core temperature and arteriovenous shunt in the lower leg were measured using esophageal temperature and the calf to toe skin-surface temperature gradient, respectively. The measurements were taken at 15-minute intervals immediately after anesthesia induction (baseline values, T0) until the end of the surgery. RESULTS: During the study period, the core temperature and skin temperature gradient were comparable between the two groups. The core temperature decreased from 60 min in both groups. And, skin-surface temperature gradient decreased from 15 min in the IPCD group and 30 min in the ES group after anesthesia induction, without intergroup differences across time. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that the IPCD system did not affect the change in the core temperature when compared to the ES, in patients undergoing minor surgery during propofolremifentanil anesthesia. Thus, the IPCD system could be safely used during propofol-remifentanil anesthesia, without increasing the risk of the intraoperative hypothermia.