Introduction:

The physiological temperature of the human body fluctuates between 36.5 and 37.2 oC. In the perioperative period the temperature balance is lost; and under anesthesia the thermoregulatory mechanisms are modified, resulting in a temperature decrease of up to 6 oC. The consequences of hypothermia on a patient under general anesthesia can be prevented or repaired in time with an adequate monitoring of the temperature during the transanesthetic period, however, it is not always accomplished.

Material and methods:

A prospective, observational, descriptive study was implemented in a group of 29 anesthesiologists from three private hospitals in Mexico City, through a survey focused on the percentages of those who monitor the temperature of their patients and those who know the strategies to avoid the loss of temperature in the transanesthetic period.

Conclusions:

Despite knowing the measures of preservation of temperature, and having the resource and available equipment, this parameter is not monitored.