Abstract

MAINTENANCE OF BODY TEMPERATURE IN ABSENCE OF STANDARD EQUIPMENT

Perioperative hypothermia is always a fear in the mind of anaesthesiologist working in the operating rooms involving long durations. Ambient temperature in operating room is generally kept low and this along with anaesthesia which impairs normal autonomic thermoregulatory control leads to hypothermia. Hypothermia results in impaired coagulation, altered platelet function, increased blood loss, impaired immune function leading to increased wound infection and vasoconstriction. Hypothermia leads to physiological stress, increased morbidity and prolonged recovery from anaesthetic agent due to decreased metabolism of drugs used. Shivering in the post operative period causes increased oxygen consumption and increased intracranial pressure which may have its deleterious effects.