Hutchins G M
Hum Pathol. 1985 Jun;16(6):560-1. doi: 10.1016/s0046-8177(85)80104-0.
During the collection of specimens at autopsy for biochemical analysis, it was observed that body temperatures were higher than expected. To evaluate this observation further, rectal temperatures were determined at the earliest feasible time after death in 20 adult patients for whom recent premortem rectal temperatures were available for comparison. The average premortem temperature was 37.6 degrees C (range, 34.9 to 41.1 degrees C) and had been obtained 19 to 240 minutes (average, 107 minutes) before death. The average postmortem temperature, also 37.6 degrees C (range, 35.5 to 41.3 degrees C), was obtained 116 to 401 minutes (average, 202 minutes) after death. In the 11 patients in whom the postmortem interval was less than three hours (average, 155 minutes), there was an average postmortem temperature increase of 0.5 degree C (range, +1.3 to -0.7 degree C). The results suggest that there is usually an initial postmortem elevation in body temperature as measured rectally, probably as a result of continuing tissue and bacterial metabolism in the absence of the usual heat-dispersal mechanisms. This phenomenon should be considered when postmortem materials are used for analysis or when postmortem interval is determined by body temperature.
在尸检采集标本进行生化分析时，观察到体温高于预期。为进一步评估这一观察结果，在20例成年患者死亡后尽早测定直肠温度，这些患者生前近期的直肠温度可用于比较。生前平均体温为37.6摄氏度（范围为34.9至41.1摄氏度），是在死亡前19至240分钟（平均107分钟）测得的。死后平均体温也是37.6摄氏度（范围为35.5至41.3摄氏度），是在死亡后116至401分钟（平均202分钟）测得的。在死后间隔时间少于3小时（平均155分钟）的11例患者中，死后平均体温升高0.5摄氏度（范围为+1.3至 -0.7摄氏度）。结果表明，通常死后经直肠测量体温会有初始升高，这可能是由于在缺乏正常散热机制的情况下组织和细菌持续代谢所致。当使用死后材料进行分析或通过体温确定死后间隔时间时，应考虑这一现象。
