The Truth We Cannot See; Hypothermia in Patients Under Spinal Anesthesia

Abstract

Objective: The frequency of using a temperature monitor in patients under spinal anesthesia is lower than desired. Besides, it is open to debate how and from where temperature monitoring should be done most practically in awake patients. In this study, we investigated the incidence of hypothermia in geriatric patients under spinal anesthesia and compared the temperature measurement methods. Method: Preoperative and postoperative temperature monitoring were compared with three different measurement methods in elderly patients undergoing spinal anesthesia. The success of methods and the factors that may cause loss of temperature were examined. Results: The incidence of hypothermia in geriatric patients was found to be 46 percent. One-third of hypothermic cases were seen in surgeries lasting less than one hour. External auditory canal measurements using an infrared method were correlated with thermocouple measurements. However, axillary skin temperature measurements were significantly erroneous. Low hemoglobin values were related to loss of temperature. Conclusion: Old age is a special situation contributiing to hypothermia and creating a vulnerable population in terms of its results. In cases where the core temperature cannot be measured, infrared measurements of the external auditory canal can be used. Axillary skin temperature is misleading but may at least contribute to the information. But a measurement that has not been done is still the worst. With the most appropriate technique within the possibilities available, temperature monitoring should be used regardless of the operation time in geriatric patients. Because undiagnosed hypothermia cannot be treated.