The optimal temperature of air-heated blankets for preventing intraoperative hypothermia in patients with gynecological tumor: a randomized controlled trial
In brief
Setting air-heated blankets to 38°C stops hypothermia during endometrial cancer surgery
In a randomized trial of patients undergoing radical endometrial cancer resection, a blanket temperature of 38°C resulted in zero cases of intraoperative hypothermia, compared with six cases at 36°C, while higher temperature (40°C) offered no additional benefit. The warmer setting also shortened extubation and eye-opening times versus 36°C, suggesting 38°C is the practical target for temperature management.
- Journal
- Frontiers in medicine (Q1)
- Published
- 5 August 2026
- Study design
- Randomized controlled trial
- Evidence level
- Level 1, High (CEBM 1b)
- Authors
- Dan Jin, Pan Youxuan, Yang Li, Shuxian Zhang
- PMID
- 42621069
- DOI
- 10.3389/fmed.2026.1835872
Why clinicians should know about it
- Picked for Obstetrics and Gynecology (top studies of the week, 23 August 2026): Randomized trial, temperature for intraoperative warming
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Air-heated blankets can effectively prevent intraoperative hypothermia in patients undergoing major surgeries. However, the optimal temperature of an air-heated blanket for preventing intraoperative hypothermia in these patients has not yet been established. This study aimed to determine the optimal temperature of an air-heated blanket for preventing intraoperative hypothermia in patients undergoing radical resection for endometrial cancer. METHOD: After the induction of general anesthesia, groups A, B, and C received air-heated blankets set to 36°C, 38°C, and 40°C, respectively, for warming until the end of surgery. The core temperature, time to eye opening, extubation time, and time to discharge from the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) were recorded. Perioperative complications-including hypothermia, emergence agitation, hyperthermia, shivering, delayed awakening, and nausea and vomiting-were also documented. RESULTS: There were six cases of hypothermia in group A, while no hypothermia was observed in groups B and C. Statistically significant differences were found in the incidence of hypothermia and shivering among the three groups (P = 0.002 and P = 0.034, respectively). The extubation time and time to eye opening in group C were shorter than those in group A (P < 0.05); however, no statistically significant differences were observed between groups B and C. CONCLUSION: The optimal temperature of the air-heated blanket for preventing hypothermia in patients undergoing radical resection for endometrial cancer was 38°C. This study offers guidance on the specific warming temperatures used in clinical practice. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: Identifier: ChiCTR2400080803, https://www.chictr.org.cn/.
Abstract as published, via PubMed.
For healthcare professionals. The summary is generated by AI from the published abstract, and the evidence level is assigned automatically from the study design on the Oxford CEBM hierarchy. Neither is medical advice. Read the full paper before changing practice.