Background: Bacterial peritonitis is accompanied by a high risk of sepsis and endotoxin production resulting in physiological derangements and a high mortality rate. Localized and systemic warming improves tissue perfusion, oxygen tension, and outcomes after surgery. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of systemic warming as an adjunct to standard antibiotic and fluid resuscitation in patients with peritonitis.
Methods: In this pilot randomized controlled trial, patients presenting with an acute abdomen were randomized into control and warmed groups using sequential envelopes. Local Ethics Committee approval was obtained. Systemic warming was delivered using the Inditherm warming mattress set at 40°C. Standard oxygen, fluid resuscitation, and antibiotics were delivered simultaneously. Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II scores were recorded on admission and 24 h later or just prior to surgery, whichever was earlier.
Results: Thirty-three patients were recruited. The APACHE II scores on admission were comparable (median 9.0 [range 2–23] and 9.0 [0–20], respectively, for the control and warmed groups (p = 0.70; Mann-Whitney U test)). No patient showed any adverse effects of warming. There were statistically significant improvements in APACHE II scores (p = 0.028; Wilcoxon signed ranks test) and the magnitude of its change (p = 0.048; Mann-Whitney U test) in the warmed group compared with the control group.
Conclusions: Systemic warming may reduce physiological derangements and improve the prognosis in patients with intra-abdominal crisis. The technique may be used safely as an adjunct to standard resuscitation in peritonitis.
