[ Physiopathology and treatment of accidental hypothermia].

Severe hypothermia is seldom observed in our country due to the mild climate. But it can represent a difficult medical problem. Severe hypothermia occurs when body temperature falls below 28 degrees. The victim may be unconscious with a severe depression of vital functions. All such patients should undergo vigorous cardiopulmonary resuscitation and rapid rewarming. The most efficient methods of rewarming are represented by peritoneal irrigation and esophageal thermal tube.