Measurement of skin temperature is a noninvasive technique which sometimes can predict successful amputation site healing. The warmer the skin, the more likely the amputation site will heal.
Measurements:
(1) skin temperature in °C or °F
(2) difference between skin temperature and ambient temperature
Wagner et al:
(1) mean temperature at skin site with successful amputation: 93.8 +/- 0.2°F
(2) mean temperature at skin site with revision required: 90.4 +/- 1°F
(3) for below the knee amputations, 50 of 52 more than 90.4°F healed; 5 of 6 below 90.4°F required revision
Oishi et al :
(1) healed amputations: cutaneous temperature 31.9 +/- 1.5°C
(2) healed amputations: (cutaneous temperature) - (ambient temperature) 7.0 +/- 1.7°C
(3) failed amputations: cutaneous temperature: 30.5 +/- 2.2°C
(4) failed amputations: (cutaneous temperature) - (ambient temperature): 6.5 +/- 2.5°C
(5) In 13 of 14 patients with skin temperature between 30.5 and 32°C, the amputation site healed.
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Data in Oishi et al
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Cutaneous Temperature > 32°C or < 30.5°C
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(Temperature at Site) - (Ambient Temperature) >= 5°C
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sensitivity
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68
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83
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specificity
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50
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33
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accuracy
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67
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78
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positive predictive value
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94
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92
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negative predictive value
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11
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17
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De Frang et al:
(1) if skin temperature is > 30°C, 80-90% of amputation sites will heal
(2) if skin temperature is < 30°C, 50% of amputation sites will heal
