Post operative nausea and vomiting remains one of the most common complications following surgery. Its high incidence, despite better anti-emetic medication, requires a better understanding of its mechanism and management in order to improve the patient experience. This article reports on a recent audit carried out in a dedicated post anaesthetic orthopaedic unit to assess the level of the problem.

Background: Postoperative hypothermia is stressful and elevates blood pressure and heart rate. This study evaluated the effects of warming IV fluids on the perioperative hemodynamic situation.

Methods: Perioperative hemodynamic parameters were measured in 60 patients undergoing orthopaedic surgery. Patients were divided into two groups according to the temperature of intraoperative IV fluids.

Results: Core and skin temperature of the two groups decreased during surgery but reduced more in the hypothermic group (p < 0.005). Postoperative mean arterial blood pressure increased more in the hypothermic group versus normothermic group (p < 0.005). Shivering was observed in 21 of 30 hypothermic and 11 of 30 normothermic group (p < 0.005) and recovery time was lower in normothermic group (36 ± 5 vs. 26 ± 3 min, p < 0.005).

Conclusion: Warming of intraoperative IV fluids reduces perioperative changes in hemodynamic parameters.