[Evaluation of efficacy of a disposable monitor for surface temperature (PROCHECKER) compared with thermography]

We evaluated efficacy of a disposable monitor for surface temperature (PROCHECKER) compared with thermography. Changes in surface temperature after epidural block with mepivacaine 1% were measured using both PROCHECKER and thermography. Measured areas were regions of bilateral Th 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and along the midmammary line. The surface temperatures on all areas were measured before, 15 min after and 30 min after the epidural block. Discrepancies of the temperatures measured by the two methods were found in 16.7% of all measured areas, and discrepancies in changes in the temperature were found in 6.7%. In conclusion, a disposable monitor for surface temperature (PROCHECKER) is effective and sensitive to measure changes in the temperature.