Objective To investigate the effect of perioperatively integrated and conventional temperature management on anesthesia recurrence in neonates. Methods Sixty neonates undergoing selective operation under combined caudal-general anesthesia were randomly divided into conventional temperature management group (group C, n = 30) and integrated temperature management group (group I, n = 30). Rectal temperature was recorded before, during and after operation. Hypothermia incidence was assessed in the two groups. Operation time, awakening time and complications of anesthesia after extubation were also observed. Results Temperature intro- and postsurgery was decreased in all neonates when compared with that prior to operation. Compared with group C, introand post-surgery temperature in group I was increased significantly (P < 0.05). Mild to moderate hypothermia was found during and after operation in group C while so such incidence was identified in group I. No differences in operation time, incidence of associated complications of anesthesia including glossoptosis, apnea and hypotension were observed between the two groups (P > 0.05). However, neonates in group I experienced significant decrease of awakening time and rate of shivering compared with group C (P < 0.05). Conclusion Neonates under combined caudal-general anesthesia are extremely sensitive to temperature; perioperative integrated temperature management may be an effective way to improve anesthesia recurrence.