Transcutaneous continuous oxygen monitoring is becoming popular in intensive care units and operating rooms. This study examined the function of a transcutaneous oxygen sensor in the presence of anesthetic agents and at the high partial pressures of oxygen frequently encountered, by exposing an Air-Shields transcutaneous monitor in vitro to gas mixtures containing anesthetic agents or high oxygen concentrations. We found that nitrous oxide and enflurane did not interfere with oxygen readings, but that halothane gave falsely high readings unless a special Teflon membrane was used with the monitor. We found the device to be linear even with high Po₂ values; hence, the transcutaneous oxygen monitor can give accurate results with high Po₂ values from intra- or postoperative patients who have received nitrous oxide and/or enflurane. If halothane has been used as the anesthetic agent, a membrane of a material such as Teflon should be used to prevent falsely high PO 2 readings.
Berman et al. (Tue,) studied this question.