Cobb B et al. – This prospective, randomized study of 46 healthy women undergoing scheduled cesarean delivery with spinal anesthesia, assessed whether preoperative anterior thigh (peripheral lower extremity) temperature predicted perioperative hypothermia. It was concluded that preoperative anterior thigh temperature does not predict the degree of perioperative temporal temperature decrease, hypothermia, shivering, or thermal comfort.

Methods

• Prior to spinal anesthesia, anterior thigh temperature was measured
• Maximum perioperative decrease in temporal temperature and the incidence of shivering, temporal hypothermia (<36 °C), and thermal comfort scores were observed.

Results

• Preoperative anterior thigh temperature was not associated with a maximum decrease in perioperative temporal temperature.
• The difference in mean preoperative anterior thigh temperature was not significant between women who developed temporal hypothermia and those who did not.
• Preoperative anterior thigh temperature was neither associated with shivering nor thermal comfort scores.