Studying How Managing Body Temperature During Major Cancer Surgery Affects Delirium and Long-Term Survival in Older Adults

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying the effects of managing body temperature during major cancer surgery in older patients aged 65 and above. The trial focuses on whether keeping patients at normal body temperature during surgery can reduce the chance of postoperative deliriuma condition with sudden confusion and attention problems that can worsen recovery and long-term health. The study also looks at whether temperature management can improve long-term cancer outcomes by possibly reducing cancer recurrence and related complications. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group receives routine thermal management with warming measures activated only if body temperature drops below 35.5C during surgery. The other group undergoes targeted temperature management, involving pre-warming before anesthesia with forced-air covers and heated blankets, continuous warming during surgery, and warmed intravenous fluids to maintain a target temperature near 36.8C. Both approaches aim to keep patients warm but differ in timing and intensity of warming measures. During the study, participants are monitored for delirium occurrence within 4 days after surgery as the primary outcome. Researchers also assess thermal comfort, shivering intensity, emergence delirium shortly after surgery, and blood transfusion needs. The trial includes follow-up to evaluate progression-free survival over the long term. The study involves regular temperature monitoring and clinical assessments in the perioperative period, with total participation spanning surgery and postoperative recovery phases.

Effects of Intraoperative Targeted Temperature Management on Incidence of Postoperative Delirium and Long-term Survival