The aim of this study was to evaluate measurements of subcutaneous oxygen tension (PscO2) generated by three different monitors and to compare measurements obtained with and without the tonometer technique in a standardized animal model. Seven domestic pigs weighing 20-28 kg were anaesthetized and mechanically ventilated. A pulmonary artery catheter was inserted for haemodynamic monitoring and temperature measuring. An external carotid artery was cannulated for blood pressure monitoring and blood sampling. A peripheral venous line was used for fluid and drug infusion. The animals were then subjected to hyperoxia and hypoxia by varying the inspiratory oxygen fractions (FiO2) between 0.1 and 0.8. Arterial and central venous blood gases were analysed at each step of FiO2. Cardiac output was determined using a thermodilution technique. Central, subcutaneous and skin surface temperatures were measured. Three different devices for subcutaneous tissue oxygen-tension (PscO2) measurements were compared: (1) Biogenesis, (2) Continucath and (3) Paratrend 7. Continucath was used both with and without tonometer simultaneously. Inter Class Coefficient of Correlation between PscO2 values obtained by the two Continucath sensors was 76% and between Paratrend 7 and Biogenesis 88%. Absolute values generated by Biogenesis and Paratrend 7 were not different. PscO2 values obtained with the Continucath devices were on average 50% higher than those generated by Biogenesis and Paratrend 7 (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The new Paratrend 7 and the old Biogenesis sensors generate almost equal tissue oxygen-tension values in response to changes in arterial oxygen tension. The Continucath sensor generates almost 50% higher values compared with the Paratrend 7 and Biogenesis sensors, both with and without tonometer.