To investigate the effects of intraoperative fluid warming (IFW) on enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) of elderly patients undergoing spine operation.

A total of 107 elderly patients (at least 65 years old) who underwent spine operation due to herniated lumbar disk or spinal stenosis from November 2018 to November 201 were enrolled. According to the random number table method, they were divided into two groups: a control group (n=54) without intraoperative fluid warming and a IFW group (n=53). The changes of intraoperative body temperature changes at four time points, including before and after anesthesia induction, 1 h after the beginning of operation and at the end of operation, were recorded. Meanwhile, both groups were compared for blood loss, infusion volume, transfusion volume, postoperative shivering, the length of postanesthesia care unit (PACU) stay and hospitalization stay after operation.

Compared with the control group, IFW reversed the decrease of body temperature 1 h after the beginning of operation and at the end of operation (t=10.08, P<0.05), reduced intraoperative blood loss (t=4.708, P<0.05), infusion volume (t=3.531, P=0.023) and transfusion volume (t=4.132, P=0.031) and the incidence of postoperative shivering (χ²=7.96, P<0.05). In addition, IFW also shortened the length of PACU stay (t=3.416, P<0.05) and hospitalization stay after operation (t=5.394, P<0.05).

IFW can reduce the length of PACU stay and hospitalization stay in elderly patients undergoing spine operation, and ameliorate their ERAS.

Intraoperative fluid warming; Elderly patients; Spine operation; Enhanced recovery after surgery