Evaluation of transcutaneous oxygen tension monitoring during cosmetic surgery.

Transcutaneous oxygen monitoring during rhytidectomy surgery under local anesthesia was evaluated in 18 patients. Blood gas analysis of samples of arterial blood obtained from the superficial temporal arteries during rhytidectomy was compared with transcutaneous PO2 values. Simple linear regression analysis indicated that the transcutaneous PO2 correlates strongly with arterial PO2. Transcutaneous PO2 monitoring could be a reliable, inexpensive, and continuous method of assessing gradual or sudden changes in arterial PO2, provided the sensor is fastidiously maintained and properly applied, elements which are critical to relying on this particular device. However, this instrument has no advantages over the digital pulse oximeter.