Changes in normothermia during surgery

The aim of the study was to monitor changes in normothermia in patients undergoing surgery under general anaesthesia.

Prospective, observational survey, where standardized, intentional observations, medical record statements and semi-structured interviews with patients and healthcare professionals were used for data collection. The group consisted of 95 patients, 18 years and older, undergoing surgery lasting 30 minutes and longer under general anaesthesia. The collection of data took place from October 2018 to March 2019 in operating theatres of the otorhinolaryngological department (40 patients), central operating theatres (55 patients), and in recovery rooms and intensive care units.

Perioperative hypothermia (body temperature below 36°C) was demonstrated in 11 (11.6%) patients. A temperature lower than comfortable body temperature (36.0-36.5°C) occurred in 47, i.e. almost half of the patients (49.5%), and no relationship was demonstrated between hypothermia and the value of the Body Mass Index. The duration of surgery and its effect on the decrease in body temperature was confirmed in patients operated on in the otorhinolaryngology theatres. A relationship was confirmed between hypothermia and the length of the surgery (correlation coefficient -0.452; p=0.003).

The incidence of perioperative hypothermia was demonstrated in 11.6% patients. No relationship was demonstrated between BMI and the development of hypothermia in our patients. A record sheet proposal for monitoring perioperative body temperature was published.