Comparison of Esophageal, Tympanic and Rectal Temperatures in Pediatric Patients below 12 Years Old Undergoing Open Heart Surgery

Introduction: cardiac surgery by cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is performed accompanying with hypothermia. Measuring the body temperature during hypothermia is very important. The aim of this study was to compare esophageal, tympanic and rectal temperatures in pediatric patients below 12 years old undergoing open heart surgery. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional descriptive and analytic study. The sample consisted of 70 patients below 12 years old undergoing open heart surgery in Rajaee Heart Centre in Tehran. Esophageal, rectal and tympanic temperatures were measured by thermometer in three phases: before CPB, during CPB and after weaning of CPB. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS 16 software using paired T-test and ANOVA (Analysis of Variance). Results: The mean of body temperature was different in the three sites. The difference between right and left ear was not significant, but the difference between esophagus –rectum, esophagus-tympanum and rectum-tympanum was significant (P