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Reliability of a tympanic thermometer in measuring temperatures in children after minor ear surgery
A Pandey1, D R Ingrams, M Jones
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport, Wales. anitapandey13@hotmail.com
Insights
Infrared tympanic thermometry is a reliable method for monitoring body temperature in children after ear surgery. This study found no significant temperature differences between pre- and post-operative measurements.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Otolaryngology
- Medical Device Technology
Background:
- Myringotomy with grommet insertion is a common pediatric surgical procedure.
- Accurate temperature monitoring is crucial for post-operative care in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the reliability of infrared tympanic thermometry (ITT) in pediatric patients following myringotomy with grommet insertion.
- To compare ITT measurements with axillary temperatures in this surgical population.
Main Methods:
- A study involving forty children who underwent myringotomy with grommet insertion.
- Tympanic and axillary temperatures were measured pre- and post-operatively.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant differences were observed between pre- and post-operative tympanic temperature measurements (p > 0.05).
- Similarly, no significant differences were found for axillary temperature measurements.
- The study found no significant difference between tympanic and axillary temperature readings.
Conclusions:
- Infrared tympanic thermometry is a reliable tool for monitoring body temperature in children post-myringotomy with grommet insertion.
- ITT provides accurate temperature readings in pediatric patients undergoing minor ear surgery.
Aim:
To evaluate the reliability of infrared tympanic thermometry in children who have undergone myringotomy with grommet insertion.
Method:
Forty children who had undergone myringotomy with at least one grommet insertion had the tympanic temperature of each ear and the axillary temperature measured on admission and 30 minutes post-operatively.
Result:
No difference was found between the pre- and post-operative temperatures measured by either method (p > 0.05, paired t-test, hypothesized difference of 0).
Conclusion:
Infrared tympanic thermometry is reliable in monitoring body temperature in children who have had minor ear surgery.
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