Suturing of digital lacerations: digital block or local infiltration?

A prospective trial was carried out to assess the relative efficiency of digital block and local infiltration as methods of anaesthesia when suturing lacerations of the digits. A standard technique and questionnaire were applied to a consecutive group of 62 patients attending the Accident Department of the Bristol Royal Infirmary. Digital block was found to be a more effective technique than local infiltration for anaesthetising digital lacerations.