Changes in body heat during transvesical prostatectomy. A comparison of general and epidural anaesthesia

The superficial and deep body temperatures of 15 patients were measured before, during and for 6 hours after transvesical prostatectomy. The patients were divided randomly into two groups who received either a standard general anaesthetic or epidural analgesia. Total body heat and mean body temperature fell more rapidly in the epidural group, reaching statistical significance in the early postoperative period. Both groups showed a net heat gain 6 hours postoperatively. One patient in each group became hypothermic (core temperature less than 35 degrees C). Warming of both intravenous and bladder irrigation fluids to body temperature is recommended for patients receiving epidural or general anaesthesia.