Mild hypothermia does not impair postanesthetic recovery in infants and children.

We tested the hypothesis that mild perioperative hypothermia (e.g., central temperature 34-36 degrees C) does not impair postanesthetic recovery in infants and children. The postoperative course was evaluated in 84 ASA Physical Status 1 or 2 patients, weighing 5-50 kg, who were recovering from peripheral surgery lasting less than 3 h. Postoperative monitoring initiated in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) included: 1) rectal (central) temperature; 2) oxyhemoglobin saturation (Spo2) while breathing 21% oxygen; 3) apnea (using impedance pneumography); and 4) duration of recovery determined by an anesthesiologist not involved with the study and unaware of the patients' central temperatures. Data were stratified according to patients' weights and central temperatures on admission to PACU. Recovery was rapid in all patients, with no statistically significant differences in duration of recovery among the groups. Only three patients had Spo2 values less than 90%, and in each case desaturation was observed during only one 15-min epoch and resolved without specific treatment. The lowest observed Spo2 was 82%. These three patients weighed between 10 and 20 kg and had initial temperatures exceeding 36 degrees C. No patient had an apneic episode exceeding 15 s. We conclude that mild hypothermia per se neither impairs respiratory function, nor prolongs postanesthetic recovery in generally infants and children undergoing peripheral surgery.