Introduction
Unplanned mild perioperative hypothermia is a common occurrence in surgery1 and is associated with increased rates of wound infection (SSIs)2, longer hospital stays3 and higher mortality rates4. Patients undergoing orthopaedic procedures are not immune to this risk. Although patients are routinely warmed during and after orthopaedic surgery, the benefits of preoperative warming are under-recognised. Here, we explain why stopping the temperature drop during orthopaedic surgery is important and how new active warming devices can help.
Mild perioperative hypothermia occurs when a patient's core body temperature falls to between 34
