Thermogenesis after major elective surgical procedures.
Sequential changes of body temperature have been measured for 48 h in 147 patients after major elective abdominal, cardiac, orthopaedic and pelvic surgery. Core temperature (aural canal) started to increase immediately after surgery reaching a mean peak value of 37.5 degrees C 14 h (range 8-16) after the end of surgery. Subsequently, a second peak of 37.4 degrees C was shown 18 h (range 16-20) later. The time interval between these two peak temperatures was constant for all types of surgery studied. A close examination of core temperature oscillations during a 72-h postoperative period and a comparison with a pre-operative 24-h cycle in a group of 14 patients who underwent cardiac surgery did not show any circadian rhythm. In the third part of the study, analysis of postoperative body temperature and metabolic rate showed a similar pattern of increase for core and mean skin temperatures, and oxygen consumption.
Department of Anaesthesia, Royal Postgraduate Medical School, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK.
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D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001831:Body Temperature; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D004424:Ear Canal; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011184:Postoperative Period; D012881:Skin Temperature; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative; D013997:Time Factors