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Simple calculation of the optimal insertion depth of esophageal temperature probes in children

Sang Hyun Hong1, Jaemin Lee1, Joon-Yong Jung2

  • 1Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

Journal of Clinical Monitoring and Computing
|May 31, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Accurate core temperature monitoring in children requires optimal esophageal temperature probe (ETP) placement. This study developed a simple formula based on height to determine the correct ETP insertion depth in pediatric patients.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Anesthesiology
  • Critical Care Medicine
  • Medical Instrumentation

Background:

  • Accurate core body temperature monitoring is crucial in pediatric anesthesia and critical care.
  • Esophageal temperature probes (ETPs) are vital for this, but optimal insertion depth in children lacks standardized guidance.
  • Previous studies have not established a formula for calculating the ideal ETP insertion depth in pediatric patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a simple and reliable method for determining the optimal esophageal temperature probe (ETP) insertion depth in children.
  • To establish a formula correlating ETP depth with anthropometric measurements in pediatric patients.
  • To improve the accuracy and safety of core temperature monitoring in pediatric patients.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 181 children (aged 3-13 years) undergoing pectus excavatum repair.
  • Utilized preoperative CT scans, intraoperative X-rays, and actual ETP insertion depths to measure optimal placement.
  • Linear regression analysis to correlate optimal ETP depth with patient age, weight, and height.

Main Results:

  • Optimal ETP insertion depth showed the strongest correlation with patient height (R² = 0.920).
  • The best-fit equation derived was 0.180 × height + 6.749 cm.
  • Three simplified formulae were validated, with 'height/5 + 5 cm' identified as a practical and accurate predictor.

Conclusions:

  • Pediatric esophageal temperature probe (ETP) insertion depth is closely related to patient height.
  • A simple formula, 'height/5 + 5 cm', can reliably predict the optimal ETP insertion depth in children.
  • This formula offers a practical tool for clinicians to ensure accurate core temperature monitoring in pediatric patients.

Keywords:
Body temperatureChildEsophagusMonitoring

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