Objective      To investigate clinical significance of intravenous tramadol combined with temperature preservation in the prevention of perioperative hypothermia in the elderly patients undergoing transurethral resection of prostate (TURP). Methods     Patients (averaged 64.58±2.24

ranging from 60 to 70) undergoing TURP between June 2014 and June 2015 in our department were enrolled for this study. They were randomly divided into tramadol group，temperature preservation group and combined preservation group

with each group having 25 patients. All patients were monitored by electrocardiography (ECG) with an observation and recording of rectal temperature

and subjected to combined spinal and epidural anesthesia. In tramadol group patients were intravenously administrated with tramadol (1.5 mg/kg)

which the intravenous fluid and isotonic rinsing fluid were kept at room temperature (22 ℃) before given. No heating protection was used perioperatively. In temperature preservation group the fluids patients received were pre-heated to 38 ℃. Additional air warming blanket and a 38 ℃ circulating water blanket equipped on the operating table were provided for patients. In combined preservation group patients were treated with both tramadonl and temperature protection. Temperature of all patients were recorded before surgery (T1)

immediately when surgery began (T2)

1 h after surgery began (T3)

and at the end of surgery (T4). Meanwhile

post-operative shivering

arrhythmia

and average hospitalization days were assessed.  Results      There were no significant differences among 3 groups regarding to patients’ age

body mass index

operation time

intraoperative transfusion and volume of rinsing fluid (P0.05). Body temperatures of patients in combined preservation group at T3 and T4 were significantly higher than those in other 2 groups (P0.05). The temperature was decreased gradually with surgery time in the tramadol group and temperature preservation group. Body temperatures at T3 and T4 were significantly different with those before surgery(P0.05)

while there were no significant temperature fluctuations in the combined preservation group perioperatively. The incidence of chills

ventricular and supraventricular arrhythmias

urinary tract infection and average lengths of hospital stay in combined preservation group were significantly lower than these in the other 2 groups (P0.05).Conclusion     In elderly patients undergoing TURP

the combination of intravenous tramadol with temperature preservation can effectively prevent (avoid) the occurrence of hypothermia and reduce the complications including shivering

arrhythmias and urinary tract infection.