Effects of Inadvertent Perioperative Hypothermia on Metabolic and Inflammatory Mediators

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of perioperative undesirable hypothermia on inflammatory (interleukin (IL)-8, IL-10, IL-18, IL-23 and pentraxin (PTX)-3) and metabolic responses (cortisol and insulin) and recovery time.

A total of 60 patients between the ages of 18 and 65 years who were in the lumbar stabilisation operation were included in the study. In this prospective, randomised controlled study, two groups were constituted as with warmed (Group N) and not warmed (Group C) patients before and during the operation. Diuresis, blood loss, body temperature and side effects were recorded with IL-8, IL-10, IL-18, IL-23, PTX-3, cortisol and insulin levels.

Perioperative diuresis was significantly higher in Group C. Aldrete score was significantly higher in Group N with less shivering and vomiting in the postoperative period. IL-10, PTX-3 and cortisol levels were found to be significantly higher in Group C in the first postoperative hour. PTX-3 and cortisol were found to be significantly higher in Group C after 24 h of the operation. Insulin was significantly higher in Group N. In 72 h, IL-8 in Group N and cortisol level in Group C were significantly higher.

Positive effects of heating the patients in the perioperative period on haemorrhage, diuresis, complications and recovery time were observed in our study. In addition, maintenance of normothermia appeared to modulate the biomarkers that indicate the inflammatory and metabolic responses.