Wireless infrared thermometer in the follow-up of finger temperatures

After replantation surgery it is helpful to use temperature monitoring in order to detect vascular problems early. One of the methods currently employed is to use a thermometer with a wired probe attached to the tissue being monitored. An infrared wireless thermometer, commonly used in industry, measures temperatures of surfaces without actually touching them. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of infrared wireless thermometer technology for monitoring finger temperature. Finger temperatures of 38 volunteers were measured using the infrared wireless thermometer. A traditional wired thermometer was used as control. The measurements of both thermometers were similar when the temperature was 31.5 degrees and over, with no statistical differences (mean difference 0.06 degrees , P=0.521). At lower temperatures, however, the wireless infrared thermometer showed slightly lower temperature values (mean difference 1.01 degrees , P<0.001). There was no difference between the finger temperatures of smokers and non-smokers. There is potential for the wireless infrared thermometer to be used as an easier alternative to the traditional wired thermometer in monitoring temperatures of revascularised or replanted parts including digital replants. Further clinical studies would be warranted.