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Anesth Analg 2006;102:1247-1251
© 2006 International Anesthesia Research Society
doi: 10.1213/01.ane.0000198627.16144.77

REGIONAL ANESTHESIA

Skin Temperature During Regional Anesthesia of the Lower Extremity

Markus F. Stevens, MD, DEAA, Robert Werdehausen, Henning Hermanns, MD, and Peter Lipfert, MD, PhD

Department of Anesthesiology, University of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf; Germany

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Markus F. Stevens, MD, DEAA, Klinik für Anästhesiologie, Universitätsklinikum Düsseldorf, Postfach 101007; 40001 Düsseldorf; Germany. Address e-mail to markus.stevens{at}med.uni-duesseldorf.de.

Increase in skin temperature (Ts) occurs early during neuraxial blocks. However, the reliability of Ts to predict successful peripheral block is unknown. Therefore, we investigated whether an increase in Ts more than 1°C precedes or follows an impairment of sensation after combined femoral and sciatic nerve block as well as after epidural anesthesia. In this prospective, nonrandomized study we determined Ts changes in 33 patients undergoing knee or foot surgery under femoral and sciatic nerve block and 10 patients undergoing epidural anesthesia. Perception and motor function were assessed every 5 min. An increase in Ts (≥1°C) at the foot occurred later after sciatic nerve block than after epidural anesthesia (10.3 ± 2.8 versus 5.0 min; P < 0.01). Alterations of Ts at skin innervated by the femoral nerve were <1°C. Ts increase preceded sensory block after sciatic nerve block in 6.6% of patients but indicated a successful block (sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy = 100%). We conclude that an increase of Ts is a reliable, but late, sign of successful sciatic nerve block. Therefore it is of limited clinical value. Ts changes after femoral nerve block are negligible and late.




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M. F. Stevens, R. Werdehausen, H. Hermanns, and P. Lipfert
Further Evidence that Temperature Measurement Is a Useful Indicator of Regional Anesthesia Outcomes
Anesth. Analg., March 1, 2007; 104(3): 741 - 742.
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 Anesth. Analg.Home page
E. Galvin and S. Niehof
Further Evidence that Temperature Measurement Is a Useful Indicator of Regional Anesthesia Outcomes
Anesth. Analg., March 1, 2007; 104(3): 740 - 741.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins Anesthesia & Analgesia® is published for the International Anesthesia Research Society® by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins with the assistance of Stanford University Libraries' HighWire Press®. Copyright 2006 by the International Anesthesia Research Society. Online ISSN: 1526-7598   Print ISSN: 0003-2999 HighWire Press
Copyright © 2006 by the International Anesthesia Research Society.