Transcutaneous oximetry in obstetrics and gynecology

Transcutaneous methods of assessing patient oxygenation are gaining acceptance in many areas of both obstetrics and gynecology. As these techniques move from research protocols to daily practice, some understanding of the underlying technology is necessary. This will allow the clinician to make maximal use of the information possible and avoid pitfalls due to artifacts and equipment limitations. Most of the transcutaneous oximeters in use today rely on either electrochemical or photometric principles for their determinations. Each of these techniques offers unique advantages and disadvantages which help to determine their applicability in various clinical settings.