Preoperative core temperatures in elective surgical patients show an unexpected skewed distribution.
OBJECTIVE
To document the preoperative core temperature of adult elective surgical patients.


METHODS
A prospective audit obtained sublingual temperatures from 446 adult elective surgical patients on arrival in the preoperative holding area.


RESULTS
Temperatures ranged from 35.7 degrees C to 37.8 degrees C with a mean of 36.5 degrees C (0.4 SD). The median was 36.4 degrees C and the mode was 36.1 degrees C. There was a skewed distribution with a clustering of values at the lower end of the range. All recordings were within the accepted normothermic range.


CONCLUSIONS
The asymmetric distribution we observed differs from previously published normothermia data which shows a symmetrical distribution of temperatures. This skewed distribution has not previously been documented and we interpret it as being due to the effect of preoperative cooling factors.
Mitchell
A M
AM
Department of Anesthesia, Christchurch Hospital, Christchurch, New Zealand. andrewmitchell.xtra.co.nz
Kennedy
R R
RR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001831:Body Temperature; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011446:Prospective Studies