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An audit of peripheral nerve blocks for hand surgery
1Wessex Centre for Plastic and Maxillo-Facial Surgery, Odstock Hospital, Salisbury.
Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England
|September 1, 1993
Summary
Regional nerve blocks are effective for hand surgery. This audit of 140 median, radial, and ulnar blocks for 70 hand operations found successful outcomes with minimal need for additional anesthesia, demonstrating the viability of regional anesthesia for minor procedures.
Area of Science:
- Anesthesiology
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Regional Anesthesia
Background:
- Hand surgeries often require anesthesia.
- Regional nerve blocks offer an alternative to general anesthesia.
- Evaluating the efficacy of specific nerve blocks for hand procedures is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To audit the outcomes of median, radial, and ulnar nerve blocks for hand operations.
- To assess the success rate and complications associated with these regional blocks.
- To determine the suitability of regional nerve blocks for a variety of minor hand surgeries.
Main Methods:
- Prospective audit of 140 regional nerve blocks (median, radial, ulnar).
- Procedures performed for 70 hand operations.
- Data collected on surgical success, need for additional anesthesia, and tourniquet pain.
Main Results:
- All 70 hand operations were completed successfully.
- Additional local anesthetic was required in 13 operations (18.6%).
- Severe tourniquet pain occurred in 4 patients (5.7%).
Conclusions:
- Careful technique enables successful execution of minor hand operations using regional nerve blocks.
- Median, radial, and ulnar nerve blocks are effective for a range of hand surgeries.
- Regional anesthesia is a viable option for many hand procedures, minimizing the need for general anesthesia.