Use of an Esophageal Heat Exchanger to Maintain Core Temperature during Burn Excisions and to Attenuate Pyrexia on the Burns Intensive Care Unit

Table 1

Mechanisms and prevention of heat loss.

Physical mechanism	Examples	Preventative strategies
Conduction	Operating table, cold iv, and irrigation fluids	Prewarmed iv and irrigation fluids; iv fluid warmers Insulated/electrically heated mattresses
Convection	Air movement	Passive: drapes; active: forced hot air devices, circulating water devices
Radiation	Exposed tissues	Reflective blankets, drapes, and radiant heating
Phase change (latent heat of evaporation)	Evaporation from: exposed burns and surgical wounds, skin prep, and respiratory tract	Humidifiers, heat and moisture exchangers, and circle breathing systems