Inadvertent intraoperative hypothermia during general anesthesia: current state of the problem (literature review)

Abstract

Inadvertent intraoperative hypothermia is an extremely common complication of the perioperative period, which is the cause of a variety of negative effects. This may be an effect on the hemostatic system, immunity, metabolism of drugs, the occurrence of postoperative chills, which leads to a prolongation of the terms and a decrease in the quality of treatment. We analyzed publications in the databases MedLine, PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Scopus for the period 2008–2023, which contained information on the physiology of the thermoregulatory system, its functioning under general anesthesia, as well as the effect of inadvertent intraoperative hypothermia on various functional systems. We reviewed meta-analyses, systematic reviews, clinical guidelines, observational studies, and case series supplemented by a review of the literature lists in relevant publications. We demonstrated the physiology of thermoregulation system, as well as changes in its functioning under general anesthesia. We shown the impact of inadvertent intraoperative hypothermia on various functional systems. We demonstrated methods of prevention that minimize the risk of inadvertent intraoperative hypothermia.