The Effects of Mild Perioperative Hypothermia on Blood Loss and Transfusion Requirement

Abstract

ANESTHETIC-induced thermoregulatory impairment1–3 produces hypothermia in unwarmed surgical patients. Hypothermia results initially from an internal core-to-peripheral redistribution of body heat4,5 and subsequently from heat loss exceeding metabolic heat production.6 Prospective randomized trials indicate that even mild hypothermia (approximatey 2°C) causes severe complications including morbid myocardial outcomes,7,8 surgical wound infection,9,10 prolonged recovery11 and hospitalization,9 negative nitrogen balance,12 shivering,13 and thermal discomfort.14