Assessing sensory blockade with alcohol and pinprick after subarachnoid block

The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy of alcohol swabs in assessing dermatome levels in comparison to pinprick after subarachnoid block. Room temperature alcohol swabs and pinprick were used to determine dermatome levels at 5, 10, and 15 minutes after a 15-mg hyperbaric bupivacaine subarachnoid block was administered with the patient in the sitting position. The sample population consisted of 53 men scheduled for elective transurethral resection of the prostate or bladder tumor with an ASA classification of I to IV. Subjects were assessed while they were in the preoperative holding area for the ability to discriminate pinprick and cold sensation. Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed rank test. There was a statistically significant difference between alcohol and pinprick at the 10- and 15-minute assessments. (P < .05).