Comparative effects of ringer's acetate and lactate solutions on intraoperative central and peripheral temperatures

Abstract

Study Objectives: To compare the effects of Ringer's lactate (LR) and Ringer's acetate (AR) solutions on core body and peripheral temperatures during isoflurane or sevoflurane anesthesia. Design: Prospective, randomized study. Setting: Operating rooms of a university hospital. Patients: 60 ASA physical status I and II patients undergoing general surgery. Interventions: Following induction with 5 mg/kg of thiamylal and 0.1 mg/kg of vecuronium, patients were randomly assigned to one of four groups (15 patients per group). They received inhalation anesthetics (66% nitrous oxide [N 2O] and 1.0% to 2.0% isoflurane or 1.3% to 2.6% sevoflurane) and LR or AR. Measurements and Main Results: Tympanic membrane (central) temperatures, forearm temperatures, and fingertip temperatures were recorded during surgery every 30 minutes. Tympanic membrane temperatures in the patients given AR were significantly higher than those given LR during isoflurane anesthesia 5 and 30 minutes after induction of anesthesia. However, this was not the case for sevoflurane anesthesia. There were no significant differences in forearm and fingertip temperatures or fingertip blood flow among the four groups. Conclusion: There was no significant difference between AR and LR in the preservation of heat during either sevoflurane or isoflurane anesthesia. However, AR may be superior to LR for maintaining central temperature during the early period of isoflurane anesthesia.