Effects of prostaglandin E1 on intra-operative central and peripheral temperatures during upper abdominal surgery

Effects of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) on temperatures during upper abdominal surgery under isoflurane anaesthesia were studied. Forty-five patients were randomly assigned to one of three groups (15 patients per group). One group received 0.05 micrograms kg-1 min-1 of PGE1, the second group received 0.1 microgram kg-1 min-1 of PGE1 just after the induction of anaesthesia, and the third group received no PGE1 during anaesthesia (control). Tympanic membrane (central) temperatures, forearm temperatures, and fingertip temperatures were recorded during surgery every 30 min. Tympanic membrane temperatures in the 0.05 micrograms kg-1 min-1 group during and at the end of surgery were significantly higher than those in the control group. In the 0.1 microgram kg-1 min-1 group, maximum decrease of tympanic membrane temperature was significantly larger than that in the control group. Fingertip temperatures in the 0.05 micrograms kg-1 min-1 group during surgery were significantly higher than those in the control group. This result suggests that 0.05 micrograms kg-1 min-1 of PGE1 may be superior to 0.1 microgram kg-1 min-1 of PGE1 for maintaining central and peripheral temperatures during surgery and general anaesthesia.