A Prospective Randomized Evaluation of Two Perioperative Active Warming Techniques in Maintenance of Normothermia in Colorectal Surgeries

Stratified randomization will be performed using a computerized randomization table where the strata will be type of surgery (open vs closed) and the treatment will be forced air blanket or underbody mattress warming device. This will allow equal groups of both warming devices in both types of surgery.

Group 1: Patients will receive active warming via a heating mattress (VitaHEAT Medical) placed on the OR table with two thin sheets between the patient and the device; one covering the mattress and the other used as the draw sheet as usual practice. The device will be turned on 10 minutes prior to the patients' arrival to the operating room table. Patients' upper body will be covered with blankets. To increase skin surface contact with the mattress any blankets remaining under the patients' chest or head will be removed after intubation and replaced with a donut.

Group 2: Patients will receive standard forced air warming applied to the upper body and turned on after the patient is prepped and draped. These warmers will be placed directly in contact with the skin without any intervening insulation.

Both groups will have IV fluid warmer initiated on arrival to the operating room. The operating room temperatures will be adjusted to 21°C.

Participation in the study is voluntary. The patients may choose not to enroll in the research. Patients who choose not to enroll will use the standard forced air warmer.