Application of thermal insulation blanket combined with self-heating patch in patients undergoing robotic surgery for thyroid cancer

Objective To explore the application effect of a thermal insulation blanket combined with a self-heating patch in patients undergoing robotic surgery for thyroid cancer.

Methods A total of 130 patients with thyroid cancer who underwent robotic surgery were selected. Using the random sequence method, they were divided into control group n=65, received conventional thermal insulation+a thermal insulation blanket and observation group n=65, received conventional thermal insulation+a thermal insulation blanket+a self-heating patch. The core body temperature, stress response before and at the end of surgery, the incidence of intraoperative shivering and hypothermia, as well as the awakening time, rewarming time, stay time in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU), and thermal comfort were compared between the two groups.

Results Compared with the control group, the observation group had higher core body temperature at 2 hours after anesthesia (T₂), 4 hours after anesthesia (T₃), at the end of surgery (T₄), upon entering the PACU (T₅), and upon leaving the PACU (T₆). During the T₁ to T₆ period, the control group showed a downward trend in body temperature, while the observation group remained relatively stable, with statistically significant differences (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the observation group had lower stress levels at the end of surgery, a lower incidence of intraoperative shivering and hypothermia, with statistically significant differences (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the observation group had shorter awakening and rewarming time, higher thermal comfort scores, and a shorter stay time in the PACU, with statistically significant differences (P < 0.05).

Conclusion The combination of thermal insulation blanket and self-heating patch can improve the intraoperative core body temperature and thermal comfort of patients undergoing robotic surgery for thyroid cancer, reduce the incidence of intraoperative shivering and hypothermia, alleviate stress responses, and shorten the awakening time, rewarming time, and stay time in the PACU.