Induced Hypothermia During Anesthesia and Its Effects on Postoperative Neurological Recovery

Introduction: Intraoperative induced hypothermia, defined as a reduction in core body temperature below 36 °C, is a frequent condition in patients undergoing general anesthesia. Although it may occur unintentionally, it can also be deliberately used as a therapeutic strategy to protect vital organs, especially in contexts of ischemic risk. Despite the systemic effects of hypothermia being well documented, its impact on postoperative neurological recovery remains underexplored. Objective: To analyze the effects of induced hypothermia during general anesthesia on postoperative neurological recovery. Method: This is an integrative literature review, with searches conducted in the PubMed and SciELO databases. Health Sciences Descriptors (DeCS/MeSH) were used for the search strategy. Primary studies with full-text availability that addressed the effects of hypothermia on neurological outcomes were included. Results: Eight studies were included in the review. The findings indicate that moderate hypothermia, when well controlled, may have a neuroprotective effect, whereas deep or unintentional hypothermia is associated with a higher risk of neurological complications, such as postoperative delirium, brain injury, and increased mortality. Conclusion: Induced hypothermia presents distinct risks and benefits depending on the type of procedure and patient profile. However, the scarcity of primary studies specifically addressing neurological outcomes limits clinical understanding. Future investigations are necessary to guide safe and individualized anesthetic practices.