Reducing patient discomfort during digital blockade: The subcutaneous single injection digital block - A simple, safe and fast procedure

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Regional anesthesia of a single finger is commonly achieved by the traditional ring block, which requires at least two painful injections in the digit. Single injection digital block techniques have been described to avoid this problem. Among these, the subcutaneous technique described by Harbison appears to be safe and to allow most procedures to be carried out with good tolerance. OBJECTIVES: A prospective study was designed to evaluate the results of the subcutaneous technique in terms of patient tolerance, distribution of anesthesia and efficiency. METHODS: All blocks were performed by a single investigator. A visual analog scale was used to evaluate pain associated with the injection. Prick testing was used to evaluate the quality of anesthesia at the volar and dorsal aspects of the phalanxes. Tolerance to the surgical procedure and the need for additional injections were also recorded. RESULTS:This technique allowed surgery to be performed without complementary injection most of the time and was very well tolerated. The dorsum of the proximal phalanx, however, was unpredictably included in the anesthetized territory. CONCLUSION: The subcutaneous single injection digital block is safe, efficient and easy to perform. It allows the treatment of all conditions on the volar aspect of the finger and on the dorsal aspect of the distal and middle phalanxes. For surgery on the dorsal aspect of the proximal phalanx, a combined single injection technique or a supplementary dorsal block should be used.

Digit Replantation under Wide-Awake Local Anesthesia

“…This technique was described in the literature as wide-awake local anesthesia and could be used for finger surgery. 6,7…”

Study of Single Subcutaneous Injection for Digital Block Using Lignocaine with Adrenaline

“…All the cases were of traumatic finger tip injuries Two ml of the plain lignocaine with 1:200000 adrenaline solution was injected in the center of volar palmodigital crease of the injured finger subcutaneously using a 26 G needle slowly with needle perpendicular to skin as described by Harbison. 5 Injection Phentolamine was kept ready to reverse any possible ischemic effect due to adrenaline. 6 Case 1 23 year old male with traumatic amputation of right long finger.…”

Local Anaesthesia in Plastic Surgery Procedures

“…Associated risks are, therefore, avoided and, thus, the subcutaneous digital block should be preferred to the transthecal techniques to avoid flexor sheath injury. [18] III. Discussion…”