The changes of skin temperature in lower extremity during spinal anesthesia and general anesthesia

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Skin temperature is well known to increase after spinal anesthesia due to sympathetic blockade and vasodilation. The purpose of this study is to find the changes of skin temperature in lower extremities during spinal and general anesthesia. METHODS: Patients were divided into three groups SA (spinal anesthesia), GA (general anesthesia) and control (N) group. Skin temperature was recorded in the ventral aspect of mid thigh before induction and 5, 15, 30 min after induction. RESULTS: In all groups, skin temperature increased after 5, 15, 30 min significantly. And temperature gradients between before induction and after 30 minutes did not differ significantly in the three groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The changes of skin temperature in the lower extremities are similar with spinal anesthesia and general anesthesia.