Effectiveness of Early Warming With Self-Warming Blankets on Postoperative Hypothermia in Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty.BACKGROUND
 Hypothermia is an important complication in joint arthroplasty.  Nevertheless, the effectiveness of the self-warming (SW) blanket, a novel conductive warming device, on postoperative hypothermia in elective joint arthroplasty is unknown.


 The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of early warming with SW blankets in the prevention of postoperative hypothermia in elective total hip (THA) and knee arthroplasty (TKA) compared with FAW devices.


 The patient's body temperature was measured at the tympanic membrane, and hypothermia was defined as a body temperature of less than 35.5°C.


 Postoperative hypothermia was observed in 15 (31.3%) and eight (14.0%) patients in the FAW group and the SW group, respectively (p = .029).  Early warming with SW blankets was more effective than FAW devices in the prevention of postoperative hypothermia in elective THA and TKA.
THERM