Impact of Intraoperative Hypothermia on Incidence of Infection in Implant-Based Breast Reconstruction in Pakistan

Background: Intraoperative hypothermia, an unintentional drop in core body temperature during surgery, poses a significant risk in implant-based breast reconstruction. This condition can weaken immune function, slow blood flow, and increase the risk of postoperative infections. Objective: To evaluate the impact of intraoperative hypothermia on the incidence of infections in patients undergoing implant-based breast reconstruction in Pakistan. Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted at Jinnah Sindh Medical University from January 2023 to November 2023. The study included 195 female breast cancer patients aged 18 and above who underwent implant-based breast reconstruction. Patients with pre-existing infections, concurrent chemotherapy or radiotherapy during the perioperative period, and incomplete medical records were excluded. Detailed patient demographics, surgical specifics, and intraoperative temperature control measures were recorded. Patients were categorized into normothermic (core body temperature ≥ 36°C) and hypothermic (core body temperature <36°C) groups. Infection data post-surgery were collected through clinical assessments, blood tests, and imaging techniques. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25, with descriptive statistics, chi-square tests for categorical variables, and independent t-tests for continuous variables. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Ethical approval was obtained, and informed consent was secured from all participants. Results: The mean age of patients was 45.23±3.45 years in the normothermic group and 46.01±2.89 years in the hypothermic group. The hypothermic group had a slightly higher average BMI (25.1 kg/m²) compared to the normothermic group (24.5 kg/m²). Total infections were observed in 26.3% of the hypothermic group versus 10% in the normothermic group. Superficial infections were reported in 12.6% of hypothermic patients compared to 6% of normothermic patients. Deep infections were more prevalent in the hypothermic group at 13.7%, compared to 4% in the normothermic group. The univariate odds ratio (OR) for intraoperative hypothermia was 3.2 (95% CI: 1.5-6.8) and the multivariate OR was 3.0 (95% CI: 1.3-6.5), both with a p-value of less than 0.01. Conclusion: Intraoperative hypothermia significantly increases the risk of postoperative infections in patients undergoing implant-based breast reconstruction. Effective temperature management strategies, such as preoperative warming and the use of intraoperative warming devices, are crucial to reducing infection rates and improving surgical outcomes