Korean J Anesthesiol.  1974 Jan;7(1):95-100.

Body Temperature Change during Surgery and General Anesthesia

• Chun IK
• Chon SU

Abstract

It is known that changes in body temperature occur during surgical operations with the patient under general anesthesia. Body temperature who has had elective surgery on St. Mary's Hospital at spring time (February to April) was measured by rectal thermometer. Body temperature was checked at before surgery and immediate postoperatively. Measured body temperature was analysed for sex, comparison of abdorninal surgery, skin graft or cranial surgery (who had exposed room temperature (20~23 degrees C) as almost naked), duration of operation, types of anesthetic system and operating room temperature. Results were as follows; 1. In abdominal surgery, body temperature change in man was decreased 0.64 degrees C postoperatively, in woman decreased 0.35 degrees C pastoperatively. But no statistical significance was obtained(p>0.05). 2. In abdominal surgery, body temperature change was decreased 0.25 degrees C postoperatively but room temperature was increased 0.51 degrees C significantly(p<0.01) postoperatively. Correlation coefficient between body temperature and room temperature was not observed (gamma=0.37, 0.04). 3. In skin graft and cranial surgery, body temperature was decreased 1.3 degrees C postoperatively and room temperature was increased 0.4 degrees C, respectively. But no statistical significance and no correlation coefficient were observed. 4. In duration of surgery (in abdominal surgery), body temperature was decreased 0.75 degrees C within 2 hours and over 3 hours duration, each. 5. In duration of surgery (in skin graft and cranial surgery), body temperature was significantly decreased 0.51 degrees C within 2 hours and significantly decreased 1.17degrees C over 3 hours duration(p<0.001). 6. In vaporizer inside the circuit (Air-Med anesthetic machine), body temperature was increased 0.3 degrees C postoperatively and was significant(p<0.001). Room temperature change was significantly increased 1.17 degrees C postoperatively and was significant(p<0.001).

MeSH Terms

Anesthesia, General*
Body Temperature Changes*
Body Temperature*
Dermatologic Surgical Procedures
Female
Humans
Nebulizers and Vaporizers
Operating Rooms
Skin
Thermometers
Transplants