Which complication can result from inadvertent hypothermia during surgery?

Inadvertent hypothermia during surgery can significantly impair wound healing. When a patient’s body temperature drops, the physiological processes that contribute to healing are negatively impacted. Hypothermia can lead to decreased blood flow and oxygen delivery to tissues, which is critical for healing as it slows down metabolic processes involved in tissue repair. Moreover, reduced temperatures can impair the immune response, increasing the risk of surgical site infections, which further compromises wound healing.

The other options do not align with the implications of hypothermia. Increased metabolism and enhanced oxygen demand generally occur at elevated temperatures, not during hypothermia. Additionally, hypothermia does not typically contribute to decreased blood loss; in some circumstances, it can even lead to coagulopathy, which may increase the risk of bleeding during surgery. Thus, the correlation between hypothermia and impaired wound healing is a well-documented consequence that underscores the importance of maintaining normothermia in surgical settings.