Surgical Site Infections and the Use of Forced-Air Warming Devices During Surgical Procedures: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Abstract

Forced-air warming (FAW) is effective in preventing hypothermia, yet its effect on surgical site infections (SSIs) remains debated. This systematic review synthesizes available evidence on the effect of FAW devices on SSI incidence among surgical patients. We searched several databases and identified 14 studies, including randomized controlled trials, nonrandomized controlled trials, and observational studies, that compared FAW devices to other warming methods or no warming in adult patients undergoing elective or emergency surgeries. The Effective Public Health Practice Project tool was used for quality assessment, and a narrative synthesis and meta-analysis were performed. The pooled analysis did not show a significant increase in SSI risk with FAW use. However, heterogeneity in study designs and small sample sizes limit the generalizability of findings. Future research should focus on larger, multicenter randomized controlled trials in diverse surgical settings and documenting patient characteristics and anesthetic methods.