Oesophageal Temperature Differences in Children

Abstract

Longitudinal oesophageal temperature differences were measured in 160 anaesthetized and intubated children. All showed an area of ventilatory cooling similar to that already reported in adults. It is suggested that oesophageal temperature probes should be 2 x age in years inserted a distance of 104 5 cm below the corniculate cartilages, but that readings should be taken up to 2 cm above and below this point before fixing to confirm that the lead is below the area affected by ventilation. For infants, a lead packed off at the back of the pharynx 2 cm above the corniculate cartilages proved sufficiently accurate for routine monitoring.

Intraoperative zero-heat-flux thermometry overestimates esophageal temperature by 0.26 °C: an observational study in 100 infants and young children

“…Thus being less invasive, the esophageal probe is the most appropriate method [7,16,23]. Correctly placed, it lies directly between the left atrium and the descendent aorta and is therefore far away from the potentially cooling airway [20]. Our main finding of a positive bias is in accordance with a previously published study in children by Carvalho et al [16] who found a bias of +0.14 °C with 95% limits of agreement of −0.39 to 0.66 °C.…”

Body Temperature and Anaesthesia

“…Readings from elsewhere in the oesophagus are influenced by the temperature of the inspired gases. A distance of 24 cm beyond the corniculate cartilages has been recommended as the minimum in adults, and a formula has been derived for use in children [84][85][86]. Alternatively, positioning at the site of loudest heart sounds, as heard through an oesophageal stethoscope, has been used.…”

The Importance of Changes in Body Temperature in Paediatric Surgery and Anaesthesia

“…Care must be taken during monitoring of body temperature that the oesophageal probe is situated beyond the range of cooling by ventilatory gases (Whitby and Dunkin 1970).…”