Controlling Hyperthermia in the Surgical Patient

Insufficient attention is sometimes paid to the temperature of the anaesthetised or surgical patient. Ideally, normothermia should be maintained throughout anaesthesia, but this is not always possible. Although animals more commonly suffer a drop in temperature (hypothermia) whilst under general anaesthesia, this article will concentrate on hyperthermia, as this is just as important to control and which, if ignored, could result in lasting effects on the patient.