Temperature-Monitoring and Thermal Management Guidelines
The objective of temperature monitoring and perioperative thermal
management is to detect thermal disturbances and maintain appropriate body temperature
during anesthesia. The available data suggest the following guidelines:
- Core body temperature should be measured in most patients given general
anesthesia for longer than 30 minutes.
- Temperature should also be measured during regional anesthesia when changes
in body temperature are intended, anticipated, or suspected.
- Unless hypothermia is specifically indicated (e.g., for protection against
ischemia), effort should be made to maintain an intraoperative core temperature higher
than 36°C.
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