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Helmets for motorcyclists
Author(s) -
McGrath P Jim
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
medical journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.904
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1326-5377
pISSN - 0025-729X
DOI - 10.5694/j.1326-5377.1991.tb101342.x
Subject(s) - citation , library science , psychology , computer science
uncontrollably, and was in great pain. Upon reflection later, I realised that there was one other occasion when I felt as cold and the situation was identical. That had been when I was coming out of the anaesthetic after my first laminectomy 16 years ago! It seems to me that the patient on the operating table, although draped, is nevertheless relatively uncovered. Furthermore, when he is paralysed during surgery, he is unable to control his body temperature. Although he will undergo peripheral vasoconstriction to prevent heat loss, he will not be able to generate heat by muscular contraction. His skin will be very cold. His body temperature will drop until the paralysis is reversed at the end of the anaesthetic. And then, of course, he shivers uncontrollably! As well as feeling extremely cold, his movements will cause him pain, and may even cause some damage, such as haemorrhage at the site of his surgery. Is this a common experience? Is my explanation reasonable? Is the anaesthetist aware of this, and can he or she do anything about it? Alan G Moskwa, MB BS 40 Third Avenue St Peters. SA 5069 1. Greenaway JM. The physician as patient. Med J Ausl 1991; 155; 186-187