Comparison of effect of inhaled anaesthetic (Sevoflurane) versus intravenous (Propofol) anaesthetic on core and peripheral body temperature during general anaesthesia: A randomised control study

Abstract

: The fall in core body temperature and peripheral body temperature following the administration of anaesthetic agent has been studied and demonstrated so far, along with the comparison of the same parameters following induction with propofol in contrast to that with sevoflurane. But no study so far, has compared the effects of TCI-propofol based anaesthesia with that of sevoflurane based anaesthesia for induction and maintenance, on core and peripheral body temperature and the gradient of temperature between the agents. The studies conducted so far, has shown more fall in core and peripheral body temperature from their respective baseline values when propofol was used for induction of anaesthesia in comparison to the use of sevoflurane. A total of 60 adults were randomized into two groups of 30 each; Group 1 were induced with TCI- propofol at 8mcg/ml plasma concentration and maintaind with TCI-propofol at 2-3mcg/ml plasma concentration and 66% nitrous oxide and 33% oxygen gas mixture. Group 2 were induced with intravenous thiopentone at 3-5mg/kg body weight and maintained with 1-1.5MAC sevoflurane, 66% nitrous oxide and 33% oxygen gas mixture. Core body temperature was measured inserting the temperature probe into nasophraynx and peripheral temperature was measured with the temperature probe inserted onto thenar eminence of either hand. We observed that both anaesthetic agents have caused similar fall in core temperature. However, peripheral temperature fell more with sevoflurane compared to TCI-propofol. In parallel with these observations, the increase in temperature gradient was higher in magnitude for sevoflurane based anaesthesia. The core temperature was comparable between the groups from their respective baseline values. But, the fall in peripheral temperature was more in sevoflurane group, so was the temperature gradient. Thus, TCI-propofol when used in appropriate plasma concentration for induction and maintenance of anaesthesia causes less hypothermia in contrast to sevoflurane.