Can hypothermia be evidenced during laparoscopic cholecystectomy?

Area of Science:

• Anesthesiology
• Surgical Oncology

Background:

• Maintenance of pneumoperitoneum during laparoscopic surgery with carbon dioxide (CO2) is a potential cause of patient hypothermia.
• Understanding the thermal effects of different surgical approaches is crucial for patient safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess and compare the changes in mean body temperature (MBT) and total body heat content (TBHC) between patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy and open cholecystectomy.

Main Methods:

• Thirty-six female patients (ASA I-II) were divided into two groups: open cholecystectomy (Group-O, n=18) and laparoscopic cholecystectomy (Group-L, n=18).
• Esophageal and four skin-surface temperatures were measured pre-induction and at 10-minute intervals during surgery, and upon arrival to the postanesthesia care unit.
• Operating room temperature was maintained at 22.9 +/- 1.2 degrees C.

Main Results:

• After 60 minutes, the decrease in TBHC was 54.9 kJ for Group-L and 40.9 kJ for Group-O.
• The decrease in MBT after 60 minutes was 0.13°C for Group-L and 0.17°C for Group-O.
• At postanesthesia care unit arrival, MBT decrease was 0.66°C for Group-L and 0.49°C for Group-O. No statistically significant differences were observed between groups.

Conclusions:

• Laparoscopic cholecystectomy does not induce significantly greater hypothermia compared to open cholecystectomy.
• Observed minor differences in thermal changes were likely due to the longer operative time in the laparoscopic group.