Optimal Positioning of Nasopharyngeal Temperature Probes in Pediatric Patients: A Prospective Cohort Study

Before surgery, the esophageal and nasopharyngeal probes (DeRoyal GP/Nasopharyngeal Probe, 9F, 400 series [REF 81-025409] to be used in a given patient will be connected to the two channels of the clinical monitor in the designated room. The tips will be inserted at least five centimeters into a well stirred container of water maintained near 370 Celsius. Temperatures will be recorded from each, and the offset (if any) used as a correction factor in the statistical analysis below.

After anesthetic induction and intubation, patients will be positioned per clinical routine for the selected operation. An esophageal temperature probe (DeRoyal General Purpose Temperature Probe, SOFT 9 French, 400 series [REF V81-010400]) will be inserted. The optimal placement of the esophageal temperature probe varies based on the height of the patient8. Broad consensus is that the measurement is most accurate in the distal third of the esophagus. The use of acoustic criteria for optimal placement is not a reliable method9. Bloch et al.,5 proposed the use of a simple formula of one quarter of the patient's height plus 4.5 centimeters with the upper incisors as the starting point. This technique reliably locates the tip of the probe 2 centimeters above the lower esophageal sphincter.

For the two groups of infants aged up to twelve months, the nasopharyngeal probe will be marked with indelible ink from 2-10 cm in 1-cm increments and inserted 10 cm. For the two groups of children between 1 and 5 years, the nasopharyngeal probe will be marked with indelible ink from 2-15 cm in 1.5-cm increments and inserted 15 cm. For older children, a nasopharyngeal probe will be marked with indelible ink from 2 to 20 cm at 2 cm increments from its tip, and inserted 20 cm. In each case, investigators will confirm under direct vision that the probe tip is visible in the oropharynx. Insertion will be repeated if necessary; the contralateral nostril or a new probe can be used.

Both nasopharyngeal and esophageal temperatures will initially be recorded 30 minutes after induction of anesthesia. Nasopharyngeal probes will then be withdrawn at the designated increment for each age group and will be equilibrated for 3 minutes before the temperature is recorded. Thereafter, the nasopharyngeal withdrawal sequence will be repeated. The number of measurement will depend on the initial depth of insertion; with measurements continuing until only 2 centimeters remain in the nostril.

Temperature in the operating room will be maintained per clinical routine. Normothermia will be maintained with forced-air warmer and if necessary with overhead warming lights per clinical routine.