British Journal of Anaesthesia, Vol 84, Issue 3 399-400, Copyright © 2000 by Oxford University Press
J Shah, BT Ayorinde, DJ Rowbotham and DJ Buggy
We have evaluated a new method of assessing dermatomal sensory levels after
regional anaesthesia based on warm sensation. Sensory levels were assessed
in 30 patients after spinal anaesthesia using a respiratory gas humidifier,
adapted to deliver a constant flow of warm air at 40 +/- 0.2 degrees C.
This was compared with the cold sensation from ethyl chloride spray. The
frequency distribution of the dermatomal differences showed 96.6% of the
comparisons were between +1 and -1 dermatomes. The median difference in
dermatomal levels between the two methods of assessment was 0
(interquartile range 0-1) (P = 0.65). We conclude that the warm air method
compares favourably with ethyl chloride spray and both can be used
interchangeably.
ARTICLES
Warm air sensation for assessment of block after spinal anaesthesia
University Department of Anaesthesia, Leicester General Hospital, UK.
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