-
oa Comparison of supracondylar radial nerve block and procedural sedation analgesia in the reduction of radius fractures
- Source: Journal of Emergency Medicine, Trauma and Acute Care, Volume 2024, Issue 3, Feb 2024, 10
-
- 07 January 2024
- 11 February 2024
- 29 February 2024
Abstract
Background and Aim: Distal radius fractures are the most frequent upper extremity fractures in the whole population. The incidence of distal radius fractures is 195.2/100,000, and the rate is increasing. It can occur with low-energy trauma in the elderly associated with osteoporosis. The purpose of this study is to compare the two different treatment groups (1. Sedation analgesia, 2. Supracondylar radial nerve block) in terms of reduction in Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score, the length of hospital stay, complications, side effects, patient-physician satisfaction, and the ease of application.
Materials and Methods: Patients diagnosed with distal radius fracture were enrolled prospectively, to whom the study’s exclusion criteria do not apply. The patients included in the study were randomly separated into two groups. Ketofol was administered to the sedation and analgesia group’s patients at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg (ketamine 0.5 mg/kg, propofol 0.5 mg/kg) intravenously, and supracondylar radial nerve block was performed on the other group’s patients under ultrasound guidance.
Results: There were 20 patients (6 male, 14 female) in the sedation and analgesia group and 21 patients (11 male, 10 female) in the supracondylar radial nerve block group. There was no significant difference between the groups regarding patient-physician satisfaction and complications. The length of hospital stay was significantly shorter in the supracondylar radial nerve block group (49.25 ± 4.05) compared with the sedation and analgesia group (125 ± 5.85) (p < 0.01). The mean reduction VAS score in the block group was observed to be lower than the admission VAS score (p < 0.01).
Conclusion: Consequently, ultrasound-guided supracondylar radial nerve block would be a valuable alternative to procedural sedation analgesia and could become routine clinical practice in treating distal radius fractures.