Incidence of inadvertent perioperatory hypothermia, in dogs submitted to inhalation general anesthesia

Abstract

The incidence of inadvertent perioperative hypothermia is one of the main perianesthetic complications in canines. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the incidence of inadvertent perioperative hypothermia in 49 dogs undergoing inhalation general anesthesia. At the end of the pre-anesthetic, trans-anesthetic, and post-anesthetic periods, body temperature was recorded, according to the following ranges: Hyperthermia (>39.5°C), normothermia (38.5-39.5°C), mild hypothermia (38,4-36.5°C), moderate hypothermia (36.4-34.0°C), severe hypothermia (<34°C). In pre-anesthesia, 65% of the animals showed mild hypothermia, and 2% moderate hypothermia. In transanesthesia, 55% of the animals had mild hypothermia, 37% moderate hypothermia, and 6% severe hypothermia. In post-anesthesia 59% of the animals had mild hypothermia, 29% moderate hypothermia, and 6% severe hypothermia. Differences were found when comparing the basal temperature with the final trans-anesthetic and post-anesthetic respectively (p<0.001); Similarly, differences were obtained when comparing the initial temperature with the end of the transanesthetic period (p<0.001). On the other hand, there was no statistical relationship between the different ASA classifications, the procedures performed, sex, and the evaluated age ranges; as well as there was no difference in the extubation time compared to the type of procedure performed. The results of this study suggest that, under the conditions outlined here, the incidence of pre-anesthetic hypothermia is minimal, while the appearance of mild, moderate, and severe trans-anesthetic and post-anesthetic hypothermia is higher.