title: Temperature changes and shivering after epidural anesthesia for cesarean section.
abstract: Changes in bladder, tympanic membrane, and skin temperature were monitored in two groups of parturients after they received epidural anesthesia for elective Cesarean sections. Group 2 patients (n = 21) received warm intravenous crystalloid and prep solutions as well as extra body covering, whereas Group 1 patients (n = 19) did not. The drop in bladder temperature over the course of the procedure was significantly greater in Group 1 patients (1.0 +/- .02 degrees C vs. 0.6 +/- 0.01 degrees C, SEM p less than 0.05). The incidence of shivering was similar in both groups (52% vs. 68%, x2 = 0.42). The peak onset of shivering occurred within 10 minutes of epidural anesthesia and preceded any significant decline in core temperature. However, a positive correlation was noted between shivering and bladder temperature decline over the full course of Cesarean section.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, St. Joseph's Hospital, London, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: V W
authors.initials: VW
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: P K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Morley-Forster
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Vosu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000767:Anesthesia, Epidural; D000773:Anesthesia, Obstetrical; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000502:physiology*; D002585:Cesarean Section; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D012768:Shivering / Q000502:physiology*