SummarySince the adverse consequences of accidental peri-operative hypothermia have been recognised, there has been a rapid expansion in the development of new warming equipment designed to prevent it. This is a review of peri-operative warming devices and a critique of the evidence assessing their performance. Forced-air warming is a common and extensively tested warming modality that outperforms passive insulation and water mattresses, and is at least as effective as resistive heating. More recently developed devices include circulating water garments, which have shown promising results due to their ability to cover large surface areas, and negative pressure devices aimed at improving subcutaneous perfusion for warming. We also discuss the challenge of fluid warming, looking particularly at how devices' performance varies according to flow rate. Our ultimate aim is to provide a guide through the bewildering array of devices on the market so that clinicians can make informed and accurate choices for their particular hospital environment.

NCT01056991.

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Inadvertent peri-operative hypothermia is a complication of surgery which is associated with significant patient morbidity, with indirect consequences to hospital efficiency and resource burden. Despite increased awareness and the expansion of new warming equipment, peri-operative hypothermia remains a persistent problem. This review aims to provide a brief overview of the mechanisms and consequences of inadvertent peri-operative hypothermia as well as the salient features of recent guidelines that aim to protect patients.

Hansen's disease is a chronic infection caused by . Current therapy for this disease is with the WHO recommended Multi Drug Therapy (MDT) with DDS, rifampicin and clofazimine. Hyper Baric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) has been used to treat many medical conditions including infections with a great deal of success. It's efficacy on various species of mycobacteria and other bacteria have been studied in vitro and in vivo and it is found to be an effective antimicrobial agent under specified conditions. HBOT has been used to treat Hansen's disease, including drug resistant lepromatous leprosy cases with good results. However there is a paucity of literature on this form of therapy. We have treated twenty cases of Hansen's disease with HBOT prior to exhibiting MDT as per the WHO schedule. There has been a marked regression in skin signs especially decrease in erythema and flattening of raised lesions. This correlated well with the histopathological picture which showed a reduction in the inflammatory exudate.

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