Monitoring of intraoperative core temperature is essential for patient safety, reducing the risk of perioperative hypothermia. A recently developed measuring system, SpotOn® (3M, St. Paul, MN), measures the core temperature in a non-invasive manner. Its accuracy in patients undergoing general surgery has not been investigated yet. The study was aimed at comparing the accuracy of the SpotOn® in comparison with the oesophageal probe which is considered the current standard in our care units.

Monitoring of intraoperative core temperature is essential for patient safety, reducing the risk of perioperative hypothermia. A recently developed measuring system, SpotOn® (3M, St. Paul, MN), measures the core temperature in a non-invasive manner. Its accuracy in patients undergoing general surgery has not been investigated yet. The study was aimed at comparing the accuracy of the SpotOn® in comparison with the oesophageal probe which is considered the current standard in our care units. In this study, patients who were candidates for major or urological surgery will be considered eligible for enrollment. The core body temperature will be thus measured with both a single-use oesophageal probe and a SpotOn® heated controlled servo sensor.

Inclusion Criteria:

• age>18 years
• patients scheduled for major abdominal surgery
• patients scheduled for general anesthesia
• expected surgery duration longer than 30 minutes

Exclusion Criteria:

• skin infection in the forehead
• upper airway anatomy alterations
• pre-existing oesophageal disease

Patients who were candidates for major or urological surgery were considered eligible to be enrolled. The core body temperature was measured with both a single-use oesophageal probe and a SpotOn® heated controlled servo sensor.