Efficacy of Digital Anesthesia: Comparison of Two Techniques

BACKGROUND Digital nerve block is commonly performed by care providers in medical fields. This study compares the blocks in terms of effectiveness of anesthesia and pain. METHODS Patients were divided into two groups. First group underwent digital block whereas 2nd group had transmetacarpal digital block. The subcutaneous ring block was performed by two injections of 3 ml of 2% lignocaine in a 3 ml syringe with a 26G needle at the level of phalangeal/palmer crease. One prick was performed on either side of the finger base extending on dorsal and volar aspects of the digit. The transmetacarpal block received lignocaine identically at dorsal aspect of metacarpo-phalangeal joint. 1.5ml of the solution was injected in dorsal and 1.5ml in palmer side on either side of the finger. When sensation of needle was felt, 1ml of the solution was injected. Then the needle was withdrawn injecting another 1ml and finally the last 1ml was injected close to the dorsal skin. The pain prick was recorded after 30 seconds. RESULTS The mean time to complete abolition of sensation was 9.1 minutes in group I and 9.0 minutes in group II. The mean duration of anaesthesia was 202 minutes in group I and 206.8 minutes in group II. The mean pain scale was 5.67 (range=4-7) in group I and 4.2 (range=3-7) in group II. CONCLUSION Subcutaneous ring block and transmetacarpal techniques are good in digital anesthesia and involve the administration of the local anaesthetic through two injections.