Comparison of pain and extent of anesthesia in digital blocks for isolated finger lacerations: A randomized controlled trial
Ali Jarragh
, Ali Lari1, Waleed Burhamah2, Mohammed Alherz3, Abdullah Nouri1, Yahia Alshammari1, Ameer Al-Jasim4, Sulaiman AlRefai1, Naser Alnusif1
Department of Surgery, Kuwait University
1Department of Orthopedic Surgery, AlRazi Hospital
2Department of Plastic Surgery, AlBabtain Hospital, Al‑Shuwaikh, Kuwait
3Department of Anatomy, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
4Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq
Keywords: Anesthetic techniques, digital nerve block, finger laceration, hand trauma, local anesthesia, nerve block
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Digital injuries are among the most common presentations to the emergency department. In order to sufficiently examine and manage these injuries, adequate, prompt, and predictable anesthesia is essential. In this trial, we aim to primarily compare the degree of pain and anesthesia onset time between the two injection dorsal block technique (TD) and the single injection volar subcutaneous block (SV) technique. Further, we describe the temporal and anatomical effects of both techniques for an accurate delineation of the anesthetized regions.
METHODS: This is a single center prospective randomized controlled trial involving patients presenting with isolated wounds to the fingers requiring primary repair under local anesthesia. Patients were randomized to either the SV or TD blocks. The primary outcome was procedure related pain (Numerical Rating Scale). Further, we assessed the extent of anesthesia along with the anesthesia onset time.
RESULTS: A total of 100 patients were included in the final analysis, 50 on each arm of the study. The median pain score during injection was significantly higher in patients who received TD block than patients who received SV block (median [interquartile range] = 4 [2.25, 5.00] vs. 3.00 [2.00, 4.00], respectively, P = 0.006). However, anesthesia onset time was not statistically different among the groups (P = 0.39). The extent of anesthesia was more predictable in the dorsal block compared to the volar block.
CONCLUSION: The single injection volar subcutaneous blocks are less painful with a similar anesthesia onset time. Injuries presenting in the proximal dorsal region may benefit from the two injection dorsal blocks, given the anatomical differences and timely anesthesia of the region.
How to cite this article: Jarragh A, Lari A, Burhamah W, Alherz M, Nouri A, Alshammari Y, et al. Comparison of pain and extent of anesthesia in digital blocks for isolated finger lacerations: A randomized controlled trial. Turk J Emerg Med 2022;22:125-30.
Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethical Committee Board at the Ministry of Health - 06/01/2021 (UID 1742/2021).
Written consent was obtained from all included participants.
Ali Jarragh: Conceptualization, writing original draft, and methodology. Ali Lari: Conceptualization, writing original draft, presentation, and methodology. Waleed Burhamah: Data curation and writing original draft. Mohammed Alherz: Writing review and editing and formal analysis. Abdullah Nouri: Data curation and editing. Yahia Alshammari: Data collection and editing. Ameer Al‑Jasim: Formal analysis and resources. Sulaiman Alrefai: Data collection and editing. Naser Alnusif: Review, conceptualization, and supervision.
None declared.
None.