Unintended hypothermia may occur during or after surgery if certain risk factors are present. Hypothermia can increase the risk for complications such as surgical site infections.
|
Parameter |
Increased Risk |
Reduced Risk |
|
age |
infant or small child |
|
|
body size |
very thin |
obese |
|
infusion fluids |
chilled (especially blood) |
fluid warmer |
|
irrigation fluids |
chilled |
warmed |
|
exposed surface area |
large |
small |
|
surfaces that skin is in contact with |
cold |
warm |
|
drug effect on vasculature |
vasodilating |
vasocontricting |
|
drug effect on thermo-regulatory responses |
impairs |
none |
|
environmental temperature |
cold |
warm |
|
room air flow |
high |
low |
|
evaporative loss (large operative site, expired air) |
high |
low |
|
skin surface area covered with preparation solutions |
large |
small |
|
neurologic factors |
spinal cord injury |
|
|
operative factors |
|
limb tourniquet |
|
preoperative temperature |
hypothermia |
|
where:
• A patient with a spinal cord injury may have a reduced ability to vasoconstrict.
• Opioids may impair the thermoregulatory response to hypothermia.
• A high rate of fluid loss is associated with heat loss, but this is replaced by fluid infusions.
Specialty: Anesthesiology
