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Intrathecal normal saline without preservative does not have a local anesthetic effect
Edward Teeple1, Dianne L Scott, Jawahar N Ghia
1Department of Anesthesiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina Memorial Hospital, Chapel Hill, N.C. 27415 U.S.A.
Pain
|September 1, 1982
Summary
Preservative-free normal saline administered intrathecally did not alter pain sensitivity or sympathetic block. These findings suggest normal saline is ineffective as a local anesthetic and suitable as a placebo for spinal anesthesia.
Area of Science:
- Anesthesiology
- Pain Management
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Intrathecal administration of normal saline has been proposed as a weak local anesthetic.
- Previous studies suggested normal saline may possess local anesthetic properties when injected intrathecally.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effects of intrathecally administered normal saline (preservative-free) on sensory perception and sympathetic function.
- To determine if normal saline acts as a placebo or a weak local anesthetic in differential spinal block anesthesia.
Main Methods:
- A study involving patients undergoing differential spinal block anesthesia for chronic lower body pain.
- Administration of 5 ml of preservative-free normal saline intrathecally.
- Assessment of pinprick sensitivity in the lower back and extremities.
- Measurement of lower extremity temperature and psychogalvanic skin reflex to evaluate sympathetic block.
Main Results:
- Intrathecal normal saline did not significantly alter pinprick sensitivity in the lower back or lower extremities.
- No evidence of sympathetic block was observed through temperature measurements or psychogalvanic skin reflex.
- The psychogalvanic skin reflex yielded inconsistent results and was discontinued.
Conclusions:
- The findings contradict previous research suggesting normal saline has local anesthetic effects.
- Preservative-free normal saline in 5 ml doses is recommended as an effective placebo for differential spinal block anesthesia.
- Normal saline does not appear to possess local anesthetic properties when administered intrathecally.