Subcutaneous Single Injection Digital Block with Epinephrine
2012

Epinephrine in Digital Block Anesthesia

Sample size: 9 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Motoki Sonohata, Nagamine Satomi, Maeda Kazumasa, Ogawa Kenji, Ishii Hideki, Tsunoda Kenji, Asami Akihiko, Mawatari Masaaki

Primary Institution: Saga University

Hypothesis

The study aims to investigate the anesthetic effect and risk of epinephrine for subcutaneous single injection digital block.

Conclusion

A subcutaneous single injection digital block with 3.0 mL of 1.0% Lidocaine and (1:100,000) epinephrine is safe, reduces the time to onset of anesthesia, and prolongs the duration of anesthesia.

Supporting Evidence

  • The time to anesthesia was significantly shorter in the epinephrine group.
  • The duration of anesthesia was significantly longer in the epinephrine group.
  • No subjects showed any symptoms of ischemic injury.

Takeaway

This study shows that using a special mixture of lidocaine and epinephrine for finger numbing works faster and lasts longer without causing harm.

Methodology

Nine healthy volunteers received either 3.0 mL of 1.0% Lidocaine or 1.0% Lidocaine with (1:100,000) epinephrine injected into their fingers, and the effects were measured.

Potential Biases

There may be a risk of ischemic injury in patients with vascular insufficiency, which was not tested in this study.

Limitations

The study only included young, healthy volunteers, so results may not apply to patients with preexisting vascular issues.

Participant Demographics

7 male and 2 female volunteers, mean age 26 years (range 20–37).

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.01

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1155/2012/487650

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