Local anesthetic effect of intrathecal normal saline.
The effects of intrathecally administered normal saline have been studied in patients undergoing graduated spinal anesthesia. The injection of 5 or 10 ml volumes resulted in segmental hypesthesia to pin-scratch and cold stimuli extending from the lower thoracic to the sacral dermatomes. There was also partial sympathetic block evidenced by a diminished psychogalvanic skin reflex. The sites and possible mechanisms of action of saline are discussed; its use as placebo in graduated spinal anesthesia is questioned. It is concluded that normal saline acts as a weak local anesthetic when injected intrathecally.
D000328:Adult; D000772:Anesthesia, Local / Q000379:methods*; D000775:Anesthesia, Spinal / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007278:Injections, Spinal; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology*
D012965:Sodium Chloride