title: Measuring interface pressure and temperature in the operating room.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is a high incidence of pressure ulcers (PrUs) during long hours of surgery. Interface pressure and temperature are considered risk factors for PrU development.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to determine a methodology to measure interface pressure and temperature during long hours of surgery consistently.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five patients undergoing liver transplants were recruited from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Interface pressure and temperature were measured with pressure mapping and temperature mapping for the duration of the surgery. After the surgery, an 8-hour skin check over 48 hours was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pressure mapping and temperature mapping are appropriate to quantify interface pressure and temperature during surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study shows that measuring interface pressure and temperature using pressure and temperature mats is feasible. Further studies are necessary in order to validate the methodology in other types of surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
authors.forename: Ana Luiza
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Allegretti
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Malkiewicz
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Brienza
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009873:Operating Rooms / Q000379:methods*; D011312:Pressure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012867:Skin / Q000293:injuries; D012984:Software; D013523:Surgical Equipment; D013696:Temperature