Maintaining body temperature during anesthesia with a servo-controlled heated humidifier

The Conchatherm III is a servo-controlled, easily assembled heated humidifier. We studied its effectiveness in preventing intraoperative fall in temperature in both pediatric and adult surgical patients. Despite operating room temperatures lower than 69.8 F (21 C), rectal temperature was well maintained at normal in both adults and children. Normal esophageal temperature was well maintained only in adults under these conditions. Skin temperatures showed no statistically or clinically significant difference among the four groups.