ePoster
Presentation Description
Institution: Sydney Hospital - NSW, Australia
Traumatic injuries to the fingers are common referrals for plastic surgery and orthopaedic registrars. Knowledge of how to effectively anaesthetise the injured digit is important to provide analgesia for the patient and allow for adequate exploration and assessment of injured structures. Numerous different techniques for digital blocks have been described. These include dorsal webspace blocks, circumferential ring blocks, transthecal blocks (aka flexor sheath blocks) and volar subcutaneous blocks. The choice of which technique to use can be influenced by the nature and location of the injury, and hence which nerves should be blocked (e.g. common digital, proper digital, dorsal digital). Transthecal blocks have the advantage of requiring only a single injection, using less local anaesthetic solution, decreased risk of damaging the neurovascular bundle during injection and rapid onset of anaesthesia. However, this technique has a steeper learning curve to perform safely and can be more painful for the patient if done incorrectly. This poster summarises key techniques for digital blocks as well as the available literature on their advantages, disadvantages and efficacy.
Presenters
Authors
Authors
Dr Brendan Ennis -