Comparative study of application techniques for the tcPCO2 measurement in the fetus

In order to investigate the advantages and shortcomings of two application techniques proposed for the tcPCO2 electrode in the fetus we performed a trial using two electrodes with different modes of fixation synchronously. Comparing the transcutaneously measured values with the values of the fetal blood we found a statistically significant correlation for both techniques (r = 0.83 and 0.80, respectively). The mean values of the tcPCO2 though were significantly higher when the suction fixation was used compared with the glue fixation.