Feasibility and accuracy of pediatric core temperature measurement using an esophageal probe inserted through the gastric lumen of a second-generation supraglottic airway device: a prospective observational study

Abstract

Background Accurate core temperature measurement in children is crucial; however, measuring esophageal temperature (TE) using a supraglottic airway device (SAD) can be challenging. Second-generation SADs, which have a gastric channel, can measure TE, and reduce gastric air volume. This study aimed to compare TE, measured using a probe inserted through the SAD gastric channel, with tympanic membrane (TTM) and forehead (TZHF) temperatures, measured using a zero-heat-flux cutaneous thermometer, with rectal temperature (TR). Methods Temperature was recorded at 10-min intervals from 10 min after probe insertion until completion of surgery. We performed an equivalence test to evaluate whether the TE, TTM, and TZHF were equivalent to TR, with a margin of 0.3°C. Additionally, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were calculated to assess the reliability of TE and TR at each time point. Results We included 41 patients in the final analysis. In all patients, the esophageal probe was successfully inserted through the gastric channel of the SAD. When assessing agreement with TR as a reference, TE demonstrated equivalent results at all time points (P 0.75). Conclusions In children with SAD insertion, TE can be accurately and feasibly measured through the SAD’s gastric channel, making it suitable for routine application.

Keywords

• anesthesia
• esophagus
• pediatrics
• rectum
• temperature
• tympanic membrane