Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) in a piglet model: readings are influenced by the colour of the cover

Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is used to monitor regional tissue oxygenation (rSO2) during general anaesthesia (1, 2). The measurement might have sources of error still insufficiently examined in the clinical setting. The goal of this cross-over study was to investigate the effect of differently coloured coverings on rSO2 in piglets. Materials and methods Twenty-five healthy piglets aged 4-6 weeks where anaesthetized, intubated, mechanically ventilated and fully monitored using spirometry, ecg, pulse oximetry, invasive blood pressure and rectal temperature. Neuromonitoring comprised of oxygen partial pressure (PtO2) measurement and laser doppler blood flow (CBF) in brain tissue. The rSO2 was measured by placing NIRS sensors in the supra glabellar region.