Changes in Body Heat During Transvesical Prostatectomy

Abstract

This is a detailed study of a common, albeit not always recognized, clinical problem. The authors' recommendations should be followed. In many operating rooms throughout the world, ambient temperature is not controlled and ranges from hot to cold according to geography and season of the year. Therefore, many patients are exposed to problems of heat homeostasis in either direction. This problem becomes acute in children and critical in the premature. There is an ubiquitous instrument called the mercury thermometer that can be found almost anywhere, but which—alas—is not regularly used by anesthesiologists. We could learn a lot from its regular use and from this knowledge employ simple preventive measures such as those suggested in this paper. I am reminded of a “clinical impression” put to good use many years ago. In the days of Ralph Waters a warming cabinet was used to warm i.v. fluids in the operating rooms at the University Hospitals in Madison, Wisconsin. Although detailed information such as reported in this paper was not available, the distinct clinical feeling was correct. Anesthesia is more than applied physiology. Its good results depend on applying physiologic thinking to the clinical setting in terms of maintaining body homeostasis. A provocative thought: epidural anesthesia is the acme of stress-Fine anesthesia, which seems to be today's ultimate objective. And yet, in terms of temperature homeostasis, it did not prove to be so good.