Influence of Thermoregulatory Vasomotion and Ambient Temperature Variation on the Accuracy of Core-temperature Estimates by Cutaneous Liquid-crystal Thermometers

Abstract

Forehead skin temperatures were better than neck skin temperature at estimating core temperature. Core-to-neck temperature differences frequently exceeded 1 degree C (a 2 degrees C range), whereas two thirds of the core-to-forehead differences were within 0.5 degree C. The core-to-skin temperature differences were, however, only slightly altered by inducing anesthesia, vasomotor action, and typical intraoperative changes in ambient temperature.