INADVERTENT POSTOPERATIVE HYPOTHERMIA IN NEUROSURGICAL PATIENTS

Abstract

Hypothermia is defined as a core body temperature less than 36°C. Hypothermia is common and potentially serious complication during surgery and anesthesia. Hypothermia during surgery results initially from redistribution of body heat from the thermal core to peripheral tissues. Subsequently, hypothermia results simply from heat loss exceeding metabolic heat production. In patients becoming sufficiently hypothermic to trigger thermoregulatory