Evaluation of gastric tube with esophageal thermister (Thermosump).

The accuracy and the feasibility of esophageal temperature measured by a new gastric tube. Thermosump, which is incorporated with a esophageal thermister, was evaluated in anesthetized dogs (n = 6) and men (n = 59). In dogs, esophageal temperature measured by Thermosump was correlated well with the temperatures measured by the conventional esophageal thermister, and also by the pulmonary artery catheter (r = 0.98, 0.98, respectively). In anesthetized men, correlation between esophageal temperature by Thermosump and rectal, or bladder temperature was good during surgery of extremities (r = 0.81, 0.80, respectively). But during abdominal surgery, correlation between esophageal and bladder temperature was relatively poor (r = 0.50). Insertion of the tube, and suction of gastric fluid through the tube were easy without any complication. This newly developed gastric tube with a esophageal thermister was safe, and useful for measuring esophageal temperature.