THE RAPID REVERSAL OF PROFOUND HYPOTHERMIA USING PERITONEAL-DIALYSIS

Severe hypothermia is associated with serious patient morbidity and mo rtality, The groups most frequently affected are the elderly, the very young and substance abusers, We describe three such cases which were successfully treated using warmed peritoneal dialysis, Two patients re covered completely and were left with no long term deficits, The third patient recovered from the acute event, but succumbed later to an und erlying medical condition, Warmed peritoneal lavage is an efficient, c ost effective approach which is easily performed without specialist eq uipment, and involves minimal risk to the patient.