A comparison of the temperature difference according to the placement of a nasopharyngeal temperature probe.
10.4097/kjae.2016.69.4.357
- Author:
Hyungsun LIM
1
;
Boram KIM
;
Dong Chan KIM
;
Sang Kyi LEE
;
Seonghoon KO
Author Information
1. Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Chonbuk National University Medical School and Hospital, Jeonju, Korea. shko@jbnu.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Body temperature;
Esophagus;
Nasopharynx;
Thermometers
- MeSH:
Anesthesia;
Anesthesia, General;
Body Temperature;
Esophagus;
Humans;
Nasal Cavity;
Nasopharynx;
Oropharynx;
Thermometers
- From:Korean Journal of Anesthesiology
2016;69(4):357-361
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to compare temperatures measured at three different sites where a nasopharyngeal temperature probe is commonly placed. METHODS: Eighty elective abdominal surgical patients were enrolled. After anesthesia induction, four temperature probes were placed at the nasal cavity, upper portion of the nasopharynx, oropharynx, and the esophagus. The placement of the nasopharyngeal temperature probes was evaluated using a flexible nasendoscope, and the depth from the nares was measured. The four temperatures were simultaneously recorded at 10-minute intervals for 60 minutes. RESULTS: The average depths of the probes that were placed in the nasal cavity, upper nasopharynx, and the oropharynx were respectively 5.7 ± 0.9 cm, 9.9 ± 0.7 cm, and 13.6 ± 1.7 cm from the nares. In the baseline temperatures, the temperature differences were significantly greater in the nasal cavity 0.32 (95% CI; 0.27-0.37)℃ than in the nasopharynx 0.02 (0.01-0.04)℃, and oropharynx 0.02 (−0.01 to 0.05)℃ compared with the esophagus (P < 0.001). These differences were maintained for 60 minutes. Twenty patients showed a 0.5℃ or greater temperature difference between the nasal cavity and the esophagus, but no patient showed such a difference at the nasopharynx and oropharynx. CONCLUSIONS: During general anesthesia, the temperatures measured at the upper nasopharynx and the oropharynx, but not the nasal cavity, reflected the core temperature. Therefore, the authors recommend that a probe should be placed at the nasopharynx (≈ 10 cm) or oropharynx (≈ 14 cm) with mucosal attachment for accurate core temperature measurement.
