Hypothermia Control with Thermal Mats in Dogs during Ovary-Hysterectomy

Abstract

Intraoperative hypothermia is a common complication in patients undergoing general anesthesia for surgical procedures. This paper evaluates the use of an electric thermal mat as a temperature control method in 18 female dogs, approximately six month pregnant, subject to elective ovary-hysterectomy (OVH) under general anesthesia. Physiological constants and recovery times were evaluated by comparing three groups, randomly distributed: G1, control, without temperature control; G2, use of thermal mattress at 38 °C during and after surgery, and G3, temperature control in the same way but only during the postoperative period. The thermal mat is an effective and safe method to control perioperative hypothermia, showing better results when used at all times and not only during the postoperative period.