The effect of anesthesia on body temperature control

Area of Science:

• Physiology
• Anesthesiology

Background:

• The human body tightly regulates core temperature around 37°C through defense mechanisms.
• General anesthesia disrupts these thermoregulatory defenses, leading to dose-dependent impairment.
• This impairment commonly results in perioperative hypothermia, a significant clinical concern.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the effects of general anesthesia on thermoregulation.
• To highlight the risks associated with perioperative hypothermia.
• To discuss the prevention and management of altered body temperature during the perioperative period.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of thermoregulatory physiology under anesthesia.
• Analysis of adverse outcomes linked to perioperative hypothermia.
• Discussion of methods for active patient warming during general anesthesia.

Main Results:

• General anesthesia suppresses thermoregulatory responses like shivering and vasoconstriction.
• Perioperative hypothermia increases risks of wound infection, coagulopathy, and cardiac events.
• Fever, though often attenuated during anesthesia, can manifest postoperatively with varying incidence.

Conclusions:

• Perioperative hypothermia is a common and preventable complication of general anesthesia.
• Active warming strategies are crucial for mitigating hypothermia and its adverse effects.
• Understanding thermoregulation during anesthesia is vital for patient safety.