No Evidence of Increased Infection Risk with Forced-Air Warming Devices: a Systematic Review
Haeberle, H.S.; Navarro, S.M.; Samuel, L.T.; Khlopas, A.; Sultan, A.A.; Sodhi, N.; Chughtai, M.; Mont, M.A.; Ramkumar, P.N.
Surgical Technology International 31: 295-301
2017
ISSN/ISBN: 1090-3941 PMID: 29316602 Document Number: 693363
Forced-air warming devices have been reported to present a potential risk for surgical site infections (SSIs) and periprosthetic joint infections. Due to a lack of consensus, we reviewed the infection risk of forced-air warming devices. A systematic literature review was performed, evaluating overall infection risk and bacterial load. A total of eight studies reporting outcomes from 1,965 subjects were included. There is no current evidence in the orthopaedic literature that forced-air warming devices translate to increased SSIs. Accordingly, these devices should continue to be used for the maintenance of intraoperative normothermia.