Metallized plastic sheeting in the prevention of hypothermia during neurosurgery

Metallized plastic sheeting (m.p.s.) was found to be ineffective in the prevention of hypothermia in adult patients studied during neurosurgical operations. Twenty patients were wrapped in m.p.s. and 22 patients acted as controls. Mean oesophageal temperature in the m.p.s. group decreased from 36.2 degrees C to 35.4 degrees C after 3 h (control 36.5 degrees C to 35.4 degrees C). It was concluded that active warming systems are needed to maintain normothermia in patients undergoing neurosurgical operations.