Anaes Cases · Measurement & monitoring physics
Perioperative hypothermia in a long abdominal case
Long case — anaesthetic impairs thermoregulation; patient redistributes core heat to periphery (phase-one drop), then loses heat faster than produced. Core temperature monitoring, active warming, and prevention of hypothermia harms (wound infection, coagulopathy).
On this page
Study tools
Target exams
ANZCAFRCAABAEDAIC
Prompt
A 72-year-old man for a four-hour bowel resection. Discuss temperature monitoring, mechanisms of perioperative heat loss, and active warming strategy.
Presentation
A 72-year-old man, ASA 2, for a four-hour open bowel resection. Theatre ambient temperature is 21 degrees. He is anxious and thin. Discuss temperature monitoring strategy, mechanisms of heat loss, and warming plan.
References2ShowHide
- [5]Jogie J, et al. Perioperative temperature monitoring in anesthesia: a review of current evidence. Cureus, 2026.PMID 42147589
- [42147590]Bersten AD, Soni N (eds) Oh's Intensive Care Manual. 8th edition, Elsevier, 2018.