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Electrophysiological Methods to Assess Peripheral Pain Block in an Anesthetized Rat
Published on: November 21, 2025
Dose effectiveness of transthecal digital block
Thanapong Waitayawinyu1, Seth D Dodds, Sunyarn Niempoog
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Thammasat University, Pathumthani, Thailand. thanapong102@yahoo.com
The Journal of Hand Surgery
|March 5, 2009
Summary
The 3-mL modified transthecal digital block provides superior anesthesia compared to 1-mL and 2-mL volumes. This optimized volume ensures faster onset, better completeness, and longer duration for effective pain management.
Area of Science:
- Anesthesiology
- Hand Surgery
- Pain Management
Background:
- The optimal local anesthetic volume for transthecal digital blocks is not well-established.
- This study investigated the efficacy of varying volumes in a modified transthecal digital block technique.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the effect of different local anesthetic volumes (1, 2, and 3 mL) on the modified transthecal digital block.
- To identify the optimal volume for achieving adequate and sustained anesthesia.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, randomized, double-blinded, controlled study was conducted on 45 normal volunteers.
- Subjects received 1, 2, or 3 mL of 1% lidocaine via modified transthecal digital block.
- Anesthesia onset, progression, duration, and injection pain were assessed.
Main Results:
- The 1-mL volume resulted in inadequate anesthesia in all subjects.
- The 3-mL volume demonstrated a significantly faster onset (1.5 minutes) compared to the 2-mL volume (>6 minutes).
- The 3-mL group also showed superior duration and completeness of anesthesia, with comparable injection pain to the 2-mL group.
Conclusions:
- The 3-mL modified transthecal digital block is more effective than 1-mL and 2-mL volumes.
- This volume offers rapid onset, complete sensory blockade, and prolonged duration, making it preferable for digital anesthesia.
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