title: Warm air sensation for assessment of block after spinal anaesthesia.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: University Department of Anaesthesia, Leicester General Hospital, UK.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.forename: B T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Ayorinde
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Rowbotham
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Buggy
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000388:Air; D000773:Anesthesia, Obstetrical / Q000379:methods*; D000775:Anesthesia, Spinal / Q000379:methods*; D003080:Cold Temperature; D005018:Ethyl Chloride; D005260:Female; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D012677:Sensation
chemical_list: D005018:Ethyl Chloride