What is the main purpose of using forced-air warming devices intraoperatively?

• A. To maintain normothermia to reduce infection risk, coagulopathy, and shivering-associated complications
• B. To dry surgical field
• C. To speed up anesthesia clearance
• D. To keep patient cozy only

Answer: (D)

The primary reason for using forced-air warming during surgery is to prevent hypothermia by maintaining normal body temperature. Anesthesia and the cold operating room environment promote heat loss, and core temperature can drop, which impairs immune function, coagulation, and increases the risk of shivering after surgery. By circulating warm air through a blanket, these devices keep the patient normothermic, reducing infection risk at the surgical site, minimizing coagulopathy and blood loss, and lessening postoperative shivering and its oxygen demand.

Drying the surgical field is achieved through prep, draping, and suction, not warming. While a warm blanket may feel comforting, the main goal isn’t patient coziness alone. Temperature management also doesn’t primarily aim to speed up anesthesia clearance, though stable normothermia supports overall physiological stability during emergence.