Mild Perioperative Hypothermia

Abstract

Mammals need to maintain a nearly constant internal temperature. If the internal temperature deviates substantially from normal, metabolic functions generally deteriorate. The human thermoregulatory system usually maintains a core body temperature near 37°C. Perioperative hypothermia, however, is common because of the inhibition of thermoregulation induced by anesthesia and the patient's exposure to a cool environment. Hypothermia leads to numerous complications, including coagulopathy, morbid cardiac events, and a decreased resistance to surgical-wound infection.Normal ThermoregulationThe processing of thermoregulatory information has three components: afferent thermal sensing, central regulation, and efferent responses. Together, they work to maintain the normal core body temperature. . . .