Effect of percutaneous nephrolithotomy on thermoregulation.

Hypothermia is a well recognised complication of open surgery. We had observed hypothermia, occasionally followed by rebound hyperthermia in the early post-operative period, in patients undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy, and therefore decided to monitor patients undergoing this procedure more closely. During a 12-month period, 32 patients were monitored during 38 percutaneous nephrolithotomies; 12 procedures were performed using irrigation fluid at room temperature (22 degrees C) and 26 with fluid warmed to 37 degrees C. Although no statistically significant differences between temperature changes were seen, the most profound temperature falls occurred in patients who received fluid at room temperature. The recovery ward staff observed improved post-operative recovery in patients who had received warmed fluid. Three of the 5 patients who underwent more than 1 percutaneous procedure received fluid at 22 degrees C and fluid at 37 degrees C on separate occasions. In each patient a more profound temperature fall occurred when the cold fluid was used. Only 1 patient, who received cold fluid, developed rebound hyperthermia in the early post-operative period. Warming of irrigation fluid and close monitoring of core temperature may prevent unnecessary morbidity in patients undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy.