Transcutaneous Po2 and Pco2 measurement in dermatology

Although transcutaneous Po2 (tcPo2) and Pco2 (tcPco2) measurement was originally developed for the non-invasive Pao2 and Paco2 monitoring, its utilization in dermatology is discussed in this article. Our experimental and clinical studies have revealed that tcPo2 is easily influenced and reduced by various skin changes, such as hyperkeratosis, acanthosis, cellular infiltrate and fibrosis as well as the circulatory disturbance in the skin, and that tcPco2 is kept stable except in ischemic or bullous lesions. Although tcPo2 could be a marker reflecting the severity of some lesions, simultaneous measurement of tcPco2 and cutaneous blood flow would offer more precise information about the circulation and respiration in the skin.