To the Editor

The method for testing the “adequacy of regional anesthetic blocks” which Kang describes in her letter ‘Big CHI Tests Blocks” (APSF Newsletter, Summer 1994) is commendable in that it avoids, as she says “bloody needle tracks on the patient’s body;” however, it does not adequately assess the level of conduction blockade obtained since it is a single application to only a few dermatomes at best. This is fine if these dermatomes coincide with the area of surgical interest, but it will be a very cold day before I will permit intra abdominal surgery based on patient tolerance of a grounding pad on a lower extremity.

Steven C. Chang, MD San Diego, CA