Abstract
One hundred and fifty-seven patients who warranted the injection of local anaesthetic were divided into two groups. One group received local anaesthetic at room temperature (21 degrees C) and the other at body temperature (37 degrees C). The pain resulting from the injection was assessed using a visual analogue scale. There was no significant difference in the level of pain experienced by the two patient groups. It is concluded that no advantage is gained by the warming of local anaesthetic before its administration.