POSOPERATIVE SHVERING AND HYPOXAEMIA AFTER HALOTHANE, NITROUS OXIDE AND OXYGEN ANAESTHESIA.

Central body temperature measurements were made and the incidence of postoperative shivering noted in sixty patients. There was a marked difference in the incidence of shivering between male and female patients. A relationship between the fall in central body temperature and postoperative shivering was noted. In thirty cases postoperative oxygen saturation levels were measured, severe falls in oxygen saturation being associated with the postoperative shivering. It is suggested that the patients who fall into the poor risk category should, as a routine, receive oxygen during the initial two to three hours after operation when they might be considered to be at greatest risk.