[Intraoperative hyperpyrexia in patients with osteogenesis imperfecta]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of different types of anesthesia upon the intra- and postoperative body temperature in osteogenesis imperfecta patients. The development of an intraoperative hyperpyrexia of unknown origin is a typical phenomenon in patients with osteogenesis imperfecta. Body temperatures of up to 40 degrees C are known to complicate the operation. Therefore, in a retrospective study, the pre-, intra- and postoperative body temperature curves of 45 operations under different anaesthesias were measured. Group A underwent a common balanced anaesthesia with the volatile anaesthetic Enfluran in combination with Fentanyl, while group B was operated on under total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA) with Propofol and Alfentanil. The preoperative temperatures were not different in the two groups. The intraoperative curves showed a constant body core temperature or even an increase under Enfluran, while the temperature always decreased under TIVA. This could be confirmed by intraindividual studies in 5 patients.