Wrist Block For Dupuytren’s Fasciectomies -Is This A Viable Option Of Regional Anaesthesia?

Abstract

Background and Purpose: As there is little literature regarding wrist block, our study is an attempt to demonstrates that wrist block is a viable option of regional anaesthesia for dupuytren contracture release making this procedure to be performed as a day case.Patients and Methods: A consecutive cohort of 70 patients (81 digits) undergoing dupuytren contracture release under wrist block anaesthesia and upper arm tourniquet were studied retrospectively. Results: Wrist block was effective in all but 1 patient. All our patients tolerated the upper arm tourniquet except 3 patients. The average correction of deformity was 47 degrees at the PIP joint and 33 degrees at MCP joint of little finger and 37 degrees at the PIP joint and 31 degree at MCP joint of ring finger. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that if certain simple measures are taken to minimize tourniquet time then wrist block anaesthesia can be considered as an option for duputyren contracture release.