Digital anesthesia with epinephrine: an old myth revisited

A Multicenter Prospective Study of 3,110 Consecutive Cases of Elective Epinephrine Use in the Fingers and Hand: The Dalhousie Project Clinical Phase

PURPOSE

To examine prospectively the incidence of digital infarction and phentolamine rescue in a large series of patients in whom local anesthesia with adrenaline was injected electively into the hand and fingers. There continues to be a commonly held belief that epinephrine injection is contraindicated in the finger despite a lack of valid evidence to support this concept in the literature.

METHODS

From 2002 to 2004 there were 9 hand surgeons in 6 cities who prospectively recorded each consecutive case of elective hand and finger epinephrine injection. They recorded each instance of skin or tissue loss and the number of times phentolamine reversal of adrenaline vasoconstriction was required.

RESULTS

There were 3,110 consecutive cases of elective injection of low-dose epinephrine (1:100,000 or less) in the hand and fingers and none produced any instance of digital tissue loss. Phentolamine was not required to reverse the vasoconstriction in any patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The true incidence of finger infarction in elective low-dose epinephrine injection into the hand and finger is likely to be remote, particularly with the possible rescue with phentolamine.

Review of intra-articular local anaesthetic administration in horses: Clinical indications, cytotoxicity, and outcomes

Equine practitioners frequently inject local anaesthetics (LA) intra-articularly in both diagnosis of lameness and for pain management intra- or post-operatively with synovial endoscopy. Recent reviews of the human and veterinary literature support the concept that chondrotoxicity of LA on joint tissues depends on the type of drug, dose administered, and duration of exposure. The purpose of this review is to summarise the current literature describing intra-articular local anaesthetic use, including both in vitro and in vivo studies, and to draw some comparisons to literature from other species where potential toxicity and duration of effect have been evaluated with the goal of advancing the field's understanding of intra-articular local anaesthetic use in horses, and indicating future directions for the field. The aggregate data available from all species, while generally sparse for horses, indicate that LA are rapidly cleared from the synovial fluid after injection, often within 30 min. In vitro data strongly suggest that lidocaine and bupivacaine are likely more chondrotoxic than other LA, although to what extent is still unknown, and cytotoxicity of LA may be mitigated through concurrent injection with HA, PRP, and drug combinations including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories and opioids. The current body of in vitro research is not reflective of the in vivo environment, and further in vitro work, if performed, should focus on mimicking the native joint environment, utilising PK data and joint/injection volumes to replicate the native environment more accurately within the joint and the expected exposures to LA.

Optimizing pediatric periprocedural pain management part II-Adjunct therapies to support the use of infiltrative anesthetics

Pediatric procedure-related pain management is often incompletely understood, inadequately addressed, and critical in influencing a child's lifelong relationship with the larger healthcare community. We present a comprehensive review of infiltrative anesthetics, including a comparison of their mechanisms of action and relative safety and efficacy data to help guide clinical selection. We also describe the multimodal utilization of adjunct therapies-in series and in parallel-to support the optimization of pediatric periprocedural pain management, enhance the patient experience, and provide alternatives to sedation medication and general anesthesia.

Reevaluating the epinephrine myth: A comprehensive review

ABSTRACT

The combination of local anesthetic drugs with epinephrine has conventionally been contraindicated in acral regions due to concerns of potential necrosis caused by compromised blood flow. However, this belief has been challenged since 2001, when studies demonstrated the safety and effectiveness of the combination. This review aims to analyze reported cases of acral area necrosis following the use of local anesthesia with epinephrine since 2001. A thorough search was conducted on PubMed and Google Scholar using specific keywords to identify articles reporting acral area necrosis caused using local anesthesia and epinephrine. Our search yielded eight publications describing a total of 13 cases of ischemic events in acral areas. These cases involved finger necrosis (five cases), scrotal skin necrosis (two cases), and eyelid necrosis (six cases), following the injection of a combination of epinephrine and lignocaine. The majority of affected patients were female who underwent surgical intervention and reconstruction. The use of epinephrine in local anesthesia offers significant advantages and is generally safe for acral areas. However, the risk of necrosis cannot be entirely eliminated, particularly in patients with compromised vascular function. Adhering to proper guidelines and selecting suitable patients can help mitigate the risk. Phentolamine serves as a potential rescue agent if vascular compromise occurs. Precautionary measures must be taken when using this combination in high-risk patients.

Transient Horner's syndrome in horses following cervical plexus local anesthesia

OBJECTIVE

To report the development of transient Horner's syndrome in horses following local anesthesia of the cervical plexus.

ANIMALS

A total of 37 horses.

STUDY DESIGN

Observational retrospective short case series.

METHODS

Medical records of cases undergoing ultrasound-guided cervical plexus anesthesia for standing prosthetic laryngoplasty at a single referral institution were evaluated (2019-2020).

RESULTS

Five of 37 horses (14%) developed transient signs of Horner's syndrome postoperatively. Obvious clinical signs began 2 to 5 h following local anesthesia and persisted for two to 4 h. Profuse unilateral sweating of the head and upper neck was the most apparent clinical sign.

CONCLUSION

Transient clinical signs of Horner's syndrome were seen following unilateral local anesthesia of the cervical plexus. Long-term adverse sequelae were not observed.

Current Trends in Use of Epinephrine in Hand Surgery

BACKGROUND

Epinephrine use during hand surgery has been stigmatized due to a fear of digital necrosis. Clinical experience in the past 2 decades has shown epinephrine in local anesthetic to be safe. We sought to analyze the use of epinephrine among hand surgeons and identify variables associated with it.

METHODS

A deidentified 21-question survey was distributed via email to the 914 and 415 members of the American Association for Hand Surgery and the Canadian Society for Surgery of the Hand, respectively. Questions included residency type, years of practice, practice setup/ownership, practice leadership, usage of epinephrine, availability of reversal agents, and reasons for or against usage.

RESULTS

Of 188 responders, 170 (90%) used epinephrine in local anesthetic for hand surgery procedures. By nationality, 100% (43) of Canadian surgeons and 89% (108) of US surgeons use epinephrine (P = .01). Among surgeons with practice ownership, 88% (102) used epinephrine compared with 93% (85) of those surgeons that we employed (P = .28). Comparing surgeons with teaching responsibilities versus those without training responsibilities showed that surgeons who did not teach used epinephrine at a higher rate (87% vs 98%, P = .04). In addition, plastic surgery-trained surgeons (111) used epinephrine in 97.2% of cases while orthopedic surgery-trained surgeons (57) used epinephrine in 80.2% of cases (P = .0003). No difference was found when examining the use of epinephrine and surgeon age (P = .28).

CONCLUSIONS

Most respondents believe that epinephrine is safe. Training background, location, and practice setup are significant factors in the use of epinephrine, whereas practice ownership and physician age are not major factors.

Wide Awake Local Anesthetic No Tourniquet in Hand and Wrist Surgery: Current Concepts, Indications, and Considerations

Background

Traditionally, the use of a pneumatic arterial tourniquet was requisite for safe and effective surgery of the hand. The use of arterial tourniquets necessitates the use of regional or general anaesthesia. Wide-awake local anaesthetic no tourniquet (WALANT) has emerged as a novel technique to overcome the limitations of tourniquet use in conjunction with regional/general anaesthesia. This review aimed to examine the safety and effectiveness of WALANT and provide guidance for surgeons with limited WALANT experience.

Methods

A literature review of MEDLINE was performed up to March 2021 to identify all articles related to the use of WALANT in hand surgery. Any article reporting original data related to the use of WALANT was eligible for inclusion.

Results

A total of 101 articles were identified through database searching. Of these, 79 met full inclusion criteria and described the use of WALANT in 19 elective and trauma procedures. Current data suggest that WALANT is safe and effective for use in a range of procedures.

Conclusions

WALANT surgery is increasing in popularity as evidenced by the variety of surgical indications reported in the literature. There is limited comparative data on the cost-effectiveness of WALANT compared to conventional methods. Current data suggest that WALANT is safe, better tolerated by patients and associated with direct and indirect cost savings.

An Injectable Containing Morphine, Ropivacaine, Epinephrine, and Ketorolac Is Not Cytotoxic to Articular Cartilage Explants From Degenerative Knees

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a multidrug injectate containing morphine, ropivacaine, epinephrine, and ketorolac, commonly referred to as the "Orthococktail," on cartilage tissue viability and metabolic responses using an established in vitro model.

METHODS

With institutional review board approval and informed patient consent, tissues normally discarded after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) were recovered. Full-thickness cartilage explants (n = 72, Outerbridge grade 1 to 3) were created and bisected. Paired explant halves were treated with either 1 mL Orthococktail or 1 mL of saline and cultured for 8 hours at 37°C, with 0.5 mL of the treatment being removed and replaced with tissue culture media every hour. Explants were cultured for 6 days, and media were changed and collected on days 3 and 6. After day 6, tissues were processed for cell viability, weighed, and processed for histologic grading. Outcome measures were compared for significant differences between treated and untreated samples.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in cartilage viability between control and Orthococktail-treated samples across a spectrum of cartilage pathologies. Orthococktail treatment consistently resulted in a significant decrease in the release of PGE2, MCP-1, MMP-7, and MMP-8 on day 3 of culture and PGE2, MMP-3, MMP-7, and MMP-8 on day 6 of culture, compared with saline controls.

CONCLUSION

The results of the present study indicate that an Orthococktail injection composed of morphine, ropivacaine, epinephrine, and ketorolac is associated with a transient decrease in degradative and inflammatory mediators produced by more severely affected articular cartilage and may mitigate perioperative joint pain such that postoperative narcotic drug use could be reduced.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The Orthococktail solution used in this study may be a safe intraoperative, intra-articular injection option for patients undergoing joint arthroplasty and other joint preservation surgical procedures.

Combined distal median nerve block and local anesthesia with lidocaine:epinephrine for carpal tunnel release

Aim

Evaluating patient comfort during full awake local anesthesia in carpal tunnel release surgery, without tourniquet use, by using epinephrine to obtain a completely dry surgical field.

Methods

We included into the study 41 patients who underwent carpal tunnel syndrome surgery under full awake combined anesthesia, using a 9-point questionnaire. Pain and anxiety in all patients were evaluated through a Wang-Baker 0–5 scale. The injection solution consisted of 0.1cc of epinephrine and 10cc of 1% lidocaine (1:100.000); 5cc were used for local cutaneous anesthesia, and 5cc were used for distal median nerve block. All patients underwent a classic, open carpal tunnel release.

Results

Anxiety scores during anesthesia and the post-operative period did not show a statistically significant difference (p > 0.01), with keeping their levels at low perception scores (average score of 1.68 ± 0.38 CI 95%, with a modal value of 2, compared to an average of 0.78 ± 0.29 CI 95% with a modal value of 0). Similar results were obtained for pain scores during anesthesia (1.73 ± 0.48 CI 95% with a most frequent modal score of 1). Our results also showed that the effects of combined anesthesia in carpal tunnel release surgery persisted well into the 6-hour post-operative moment, pain scores remaining low, statistically significant similar to recorded values during the anesthesia moment (p > 0.01), at an average of 2.29 ± 0.5 CI 95% with a modal value of 1. No serious complications were recorded.

Conclusion

Combined distal median nerve block and local anesthesia with epinephrine:lidocaine provides a comfortable option for patients, with minimal risks of complications.

Acute and chronic paronychia revisited: A narrative review

Paronychia refers to the inflammation of the tissue which immediately surrounds the nail and it can be acute (<6 weeks duration) or chronic (>6 weeks duration). Disruption of the protective barrier between the nail plate and the adjacent nail fold preceded by infectious or noninfectious etiologies results in the development of paronychia. A combination of general protective measures, and medical and/or surgical interventions are required for management. This review explores the pathogenesis, clinical features, differential diagnosis, medical, and surgical management of paronychia. For the purpose of this review, we searched the PubMed, Cochrane, and Scopus databases using the following keywords, titles, and medical subject headings (MeSH): acute paronychia, chronic paronychia, and paronychial surgeries. Relevant review articles, original articles, and case reports/series published till February 2020 were included in this study.

Assessment of Dilute Epinephrine and Mechanical Pressure for Prevention of Feline Postoperative Scrotal Hematoma: A Randomized Controlled Trial

To determine whether two immediately postoperative preventive procedures, dilute epinephrine (1:400,000) as a scrotal wash or application of controlled mechanical pressure to the scrotum, reduce the risk or severity of scrotal hematoma following routine castration. Male cats with two descended testicles presenting to Midwestern University's Trap Neuter Return program were eligible for inclusion. Cats were assigned via block randomization to control, dilute epinephrine wash, or controlled mechanical pressure groups. For the epinephrine group, 0.2 ml (0.008 mg) of epinephrine diluted with sterile saline was instilled inside the scrotum. In the case of mechanical pressure, a broad-based clip generating less than 0.5 kg of pressure was applied for 10 minutes. Cats were evaluated for scrotal hematoma and the need for treatment by a veterinarian blinded to treatment group. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine if the incidence of scrotal hematoma or scrotal hematoma requiring treatment was different between groups while controlling for other variables. There were 276 cats with a median age of 30 months (IQR 12,48) and a mean weight of 3.5 kg (SD 1.2). Scrotal hematomas were noted in 15 of the 92 (16%) control cats, as compared with 12 of the 92 (13%) epinephrine and nine of the 92 (10%) pressure cats. Treatment was required for 10 (67%) control, six (50%) epinephrine, and three (33%) pressure hematomas. Regression demonstrated a decreased risk of scrotal hematoma requiring treatment for cats in the pressure group (OR = 0.2, P = .044) controlling for weight (OR = 2.2, P = .006) and surgical duration (OR = 1.1, P = .026). Weight was the only significant variable for the presence of scrotal hematoma (OR = 2.2, P < .0001). Controlled mechanical pressure applied immediately after routine castration can help decrease the proportion of scrotal hematomas that require treatment.

Use of local anesthetics with an epinephrine additive on fingers and penis - dogma and reality

Epinephrine supplements in local anesthetics are regularly used for surgery in areas with terminal vessels. According to the pharmaceutical guidelines, the use of epinephrine as an additive to local anesthetics is contraindicated for these areas. This review provides an overview of the current scientific data as well as new clinical developments in various fields. It also reviews the current legal situation. A literature research was carried out to survey the current status of relevant data. Written inquiries to several German institutions (Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care, National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians, Center for Clinical Studies Tübingen, Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices) were made to determine the legal situation. No evidence was found in the literature for a causal relationship between the use of epinephrine as a vasoconstrictor and necrosis of the finger or penis. Studies and reviews show that the use of local anesthetics with epinephrine on the fingers or penis is a safe procedure with many clinical and economic advantages. In routine clinical practice, the WALANT method (Wide Awake Local Anesthesia No Tourniquet) as well as the increasing incidence of skin tumors in acral areas has led to a tendency towards increasing use. However, its use is still legally contraindicated, and the pharmaceutical companies show no interest in supporting a drug study. Further clinical trials - regardless of the strength of the evidence - would not change the current legal contraindication.

Evaluating the Safety of the Hand Surgery Procedure Room: A Single-Center Cohort of 1,404 Surgical Encounters

PURPOSE

Performing hand surgeries in the procedure room (PR) setting instead of the operating room effectively reduces surgical costs. Understanding the safety or complication rates associated with the PR is important in determining the value of its use. Our purpose was to describe the incidence of medical and surgical complications among patients undergoing minor hand surgeries in the PR.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed all adult patients who underwent an operation in the PR setting between December 2013 and May 2019 at a single tertiary academic medical center by 1 of 5 fellowship-trained orthopedic hand surgeons. Baseline patient characteristics were described. Complication rates were obtained via chart review.

RESULTS

For 1,404 PR surgical encounters, 1,796 procedures were performed. Mean patient age was 59 ± 15 years, 809 were female (57.6%), and average follow-up was 104 days. The most common surgeries were carpal tunnel release (39.9%), trigger finger release (35.9%), and finger mass or cyst excision (9.6%). Most surgeries were performed using a nonpneumatic wrist tourniquet (58%), whereas 42% used no tourniquet. No patient experienced a major medical complication. No procedure was aborted owing to intolerance. No patient required admission. No intraoperative surgical or medical complications occurred. Observed complications included delayed capillary refill requiring phentolamine administration after a trigger thumb release performed using epinephrine without a tourniquet (n = 1; 0.1%), complex regional pain syndrome (n = 3; 0.2%), infection requiring surgical debridement (n = 2; 0.2%), and recurrent symptoms requiring reoperation (n = 8; 0.7%).

CONCLUSIONS

In this cohort of patients in whom surgery was performed in a PR, there were no major intraoperative surgical or medical complications. There was a low rate of postoperative infection, development of complex regional pain syndrome, and a low need for revision surgery. These observations do not support the concern for safety as a barrier to performing minor hand surgery in the PR setting.

TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic IV.

Anesthetic and Analgesic Efficient of Regional Nerve Blockade in Otoplasty

AIM

The prominent ear is the most common congenital deformity of the external ear. Otoplasty is performed to correct the appearance of the prominent ear. This study was planned to compare the analgesic and anesthetic effects of local nerve blockade and local infiltration anesthesia in the otoplasties.

METHOD

Thirty-two patients who underwent otoplasty in both ears between February 2018 and March 2019 were included in the study. Three patients were excluded because they refused regional anesthesia. In the patients included in the study, only local infiltration anesthesia was applied to 1 ear and regional nerve blockade was applied to the other ear. Regional nerve blockade was applied to the study group; local infiltration anesthesia was applied to the control group. Surgical and anesthetic complications were recorded. The onset time, duration and severity of pain were followed. Numerical evaluation scale scores were used to evaluate pain levels.

RESULTS

It was observed that the first pain of the patients On the side where regional nerve block (RNB) anesthesia was applied after an average of 10.5 hours. On the other hand on the side where local infiltration anesthesia was applied; the pain was observed to start after an average of 3.5 hours. At the 6th and 12th hours postoperatively, the scores of the numerical evaluation scale were significantly lower in the study group than the control group (P < 0.05). At the 24th-hour pain score, the values were lower in the study group, but the difference was not significant between the groups (P > 0.05). In the regional anesthesia group, can develop such as difficulty in swallowing, weakness in the neck, weakness in the upper extremity, nausea, Horner syndrome; but all side effects resolve spontaneously within 6 to 12 hours.

CONCLUSION

The application of regional anesthesia in prominent ear surgical procedures can be considered as an alternative method to provide better quality preoperative anesthesia and better quality postoperative analgesia in patients.

Wide-Awake Local Anesthesia No Tourniquet (WALANT) versus Local or Intravenous Regional Anesthesia with Tourniquet in Atraumatic Hand Cases in Orthopedics: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: To compare outcomes of atraumatic hand surgeries using the WALANT technique versus intravenous regional anesthesia or local anesthesia with tourniquet. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive literature search using PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library from inception to October 2018. All randomized or quasi-randomized trials and cohort studies comparing WALANT procedure versus local anesthesia or intravenous regional anesthesia with tourniquet among atraumatic hand surgeries were included. Methodological quality and risk of bias of eligible studies were assessed by three independent reviewers. The random effects model was used due to both statistical and clinical heterogeneity among studies. Results: The search yielded 496 records, of which 9 studies were included in the systematic review. We were able to pool findings for operative time, post-operative pain scores, patient satisfaction, and complication rates. On the average, the WALANT group had longer operative times by 2.06 minutes (pooled mean difference, random effects, 95% confidence interval 0.46 to 3.67 minutes, p = 0.01, I² 0%, p = 0.66). The post-operative pain scores were lower in the WALANT group by an average of two VAS points (random effects, pooled mean difference -2.40, 95% confidence interval -3.41 to -1.38, p < 0.00001; I² 0% p = 0.99). We had insufficient evidence to demonstrate a difference in terms of patient satisfaction (random effects, pooled risk ratio 0.98, 95% confidence interval 0.93 to 1.03, p = 0.36, I² 0%, p = 0.64) and complication rates (random effects, pooled risk ratio 0.40, 95% confidence interval 0.07 to 2.18, p = 0.29, I² 60% p = 0.08) between WALANT versus conventional methods. Conclusions: The WALANT group reported lower post-operative pain scores, but had slightly longer operative times. There are no significant differences between WALANT and conventional methods in terms of patient satisfaction and complication rates.

Effects of vasoconstrictor use on digital nerve block: systematic review with meta-analysis

Conventionally, the association of local anesthetics with vasoconstrictors is avoided at extremities due to the risk of ischemia. However, recent studies suggest that there is safety in the use of vasoconstrictors at extremities. Thus, we sought to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of vasoconstrictor use combined with local anesthetics in digital nerve block compared to the use of anesthetics without vasoconstrictors, through a systematic review with meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Until May 2019 we searched MEDLINE, LILACS, SciELO, ScienceDirect, Scopus, ClinicalTrials.gov, and gray literature databases, without date or language restrictions. The keywords were the following: digital block, vasoconstrictor, and ischemia. We included randomized clinical trials in which there was the use of local anesthetics with associated or not with vasoconstrictors in digital blocks. In the primary variables, the occurrence of ischemic complications and the duration of anesthesia were analysed; in the secondary variables, the need for anesthetic reapplication, bleeding control, and latency were observed. Ten studies were included in this review. The occurrence of ischemia was not observed, regardless of the use of vasoconstrictors or not. The use of vasoconstrictors at a concentration of 1:100,000 or less was associated with longer anesthesia duration (P<0.00001), lower need for anesthetic reapplication (P=0.02), lower need for bleeding control (P=0.00006), and lower latency (P<0.00001). We could conclude that the use of vasoconstrictors associated with local anesthetics in digital block proved to be a safe and effective technique.

Tourniquet Use in Wide-Awake Carpal Tunnel Release

Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common cause of upper extremity discomfort. Surgical release of the median nerve can be performed under general or local anesthetic, with or without a tourniquet. Wide-awake carpal tunnel release (CTR) (local anesthesia, no sedation) is gaining popularity. Tourniquet discomfort is a reported downside. This study reviews outcomes in wide-awake CTR and compares tourniquet versus no tourniquet use. Methods: Wide-awake, open CTRs performed from February 2013 to April 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided into 2 cohorts: with and without tourniquet. Demographics, comorbidities, tobacco use, operative time, estimated blood loss, complications and outcomes were compared. Results: A total of 304 CTRs were performed on 246 patients. The majority of patients were male (88.5%), and the mean age was 59.9 years. One hundred patients (32.9%) were diabetic, and 92 patients (30.2%) were taking antithrombotics. Seventy-five patients (24.7%) were smokers. A forearm tourniquet was used for 90 CTRs (29.6%). Mean operative time was 24.97 minutes with a tourniquet and 21.69 minutes without. Estimated blood loss was 3.16 mL with a tourniquet and 4.25 mL without. All other analyzed outcomes were not statistically significant. Conclusion: Operative time was statistically longer and estimated blood loss was statistically less with tourniquet use, but these findings are not clinically significant. This suggests that local anesthetic with epinephrine is a safe and effective alternative to tourniquet use in CTR. The overall rate of complications was low, and there were no major differences in postoperative outcomes between groups.

Robust surgical approach for cutaneous neurofibroma in neurofibromatosis type 1

BACKGROUND

Cutaneous neurofibromas (cNF) are physically disfiguring, painful, and cause extensive psychologic harm in patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). There is currently no effective medical treatment and surgical procedures are inaccessible to most NF1 patients globally.

OBJECTIVE

While research is underway to find an effective medical treatment for cNF, there is an urgent need to develop surgical approach that is accessible to all NF1 patients in the world with the skill set and equipment found in most general medical office settings. Here, we present a robust surgical approach to remove cNF that does not require sterile surgical field, utilizes accessible clinical equipment, and can be performed by any health care providers including family practitioners, and physician assistants.

METHODS

In a prospective case-series, patients with NF1 underwent this surgical procedure which removes multiple cutaneous neurofibromas. The Dermatology Life Quality Index was given to subjects before and after the procedure as surrogate for patient satisfaction.

RESULTS

83 tumors were removed throughout the body from twelve individuals. Examination at follow-up visits revealed well-healed scars without infection or adverse events including aberrant scarring. Patient satisfaction with the procedure was high with significant improvements in symptoms, daily activities, leisure, personal relationships, and treatment experience (P = 0.00062).

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates a robust surgical approach to management cutaneous neurofibromas which can be accessed world-wide to individuals with NF1 and performed by a wide-variety of medical specialists with high clinical efficacy and patient satisfaction.

Optimal Time Delay of Epinephrine in One-Per-Mil Solution to Visualize Operation Field

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to find out the optimal time delay of epinephrine in one-per-mil tumescent solution containing 1:1,000,000 epinephrine and 0.2% lidocaine to achieve optimal visualization in hand surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twelve healthy male subjects who volunteered to join this prospective, randomized, double blind study were selected with convenient sampling technique. The subject's hand and the solution, either the one-per-mil or normal saline solution, were randomly selected. Injections were given to the ring finger's pulp, whereas the oxygen saturation (SpO₂) of each finger was measured with Masimo's Radical-7 Pulse Oximeter at 5 min before injection and continuously up to 45 min after injection. The device showed the SpO₂ every 2 s. Any value of SpO₂ was noted if it stayed the same point for at least 30 s in a row without interruption. The time of the lowest SpO₂ was recorded and analyzed.

RESULTS

The average of SpO₂ after injection in the epinephrine group was 96.5 (95-97), P = 0.002, whereas the normal saline group was 97.5 ± 1.168, P = 0.003. Both were statistically significant compared with their respective baseline values. The average delta SpO₂ of the epinephrine group was 3.42 ± 0.996, whereas the normal saline group was 1.50 ± 1.567 (P = 0.001; CI 0.923-2.911). The time to achieve the lowest SpO₂ in the epinephrine group was obtained at the average time of 13.90 ± 5.38 min after injection.

CONCLUSIONS

The optimal time delay of the epinephrine in the one-per-mil tumescent solution was 13.90 ± 5.38 min after injection.

Effect of the addition of epinephrine to a lidocaine solution on the efficacy and duration of palmar digital nerve blocks in horses with naturally occurring forefoot lameness

OBJECTIVE To determine whether addition of epinephrine to a lidocaine solution would prolong and potentiate the efficacy of a palmar digital nerve block (PDNB) in horses. ANIMALS 6 adult horses with naturally occurring forefoot lameness. PROCEDURES Initially, a PDNB with a 2% lidocaine solution was performed on the affected foot of each horse. Three days later, the PDNB was repeated with a 1% lidocaine solution or a 1% lidocaine solution containing epinephrine (dilution, 1:200,000). After another 3-day washout period, the PDNB was repeated with the treatment opposite that administered for the second PDNB. Gait was analyzed with a computerized lameness analysis system and heart rate and extent of skin sensation between the heel bulbs of the blocked foot were evaluated at predetermined times for 2 hours after each PDNB. RESULTS Efficacy and duration of the PDNB did not differ significantly between the 2% and 1% lidocaine treatments. The addition of epinephrine to the 1% lidocaine solution improved the efficacy and prolonged the duration of the PDNB. It also resulted in a positive correlation between skin desensitization and amelioration of lameness. Median heart rate remained unchanged throughout the observation period for all 3 treatments. No adverse effects associated with the PDNBs were observed. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Addition of epinephrine (dilution, 1:200,000) to a 1% lidocaine solution improved the efficacy and prolonged the duration of a PDNB in horses with naturally occurring lameness and might be clinically useful for lameness evaluations and standing surgery of the forefoot of horses.

488 hand surgeries with local anesthesia with epinephrine, without a tourniquet, without sedation, and without an anesthesiologist

Objectives

Evaluate the incidence of digital infarction and tissue necrosis using local anesthesia with 1% lidocaine and 1:100,000 epinephrine in wrist, hand, and fingers surgeries, without a tourniquet, without sedation, and without an anesthesiologist.

Methods

Patients with wrist, hand, and fingers disorders prospectively underwent surgery under local anesthesia with 1% lidocaine and 1:100,000 epinephrine. The primary outcomes evaluated were the presence of digital infarction and tissue loss due to necrosis. As secondary outcomes, the need for the use of sedatives, tourniquet, anesthesiologist assistance, or surgery suspension were evaluated.

Results

Fifty-three wrists, 307 hands, and 128 fingers were anesthetized with lidocaine and epinephrine without any complications related to epinephrine. There was no patient that presented with any of the primary or secondary outcomes.

Conclusions

Wrist, hand, and fingers surgeries can be safely performed with local anesthesia with 1% lidocaine and 1:100,000 epinephrine, without sedation, without a tourniquet, and without an anesthesiologist.

Dermatochirurgie bei Kindern: Gegenwärtiger Stand zu Indikation, Anästhesie, Analgesie und potentiellen perioperativen Komplikationen

HINTERGRUND

Anders als Erwachsene benötigen Kinder bei dermatochirurgischen Eingriffen besondere Aufmerksamkeit; die Anwendung verschiedener Analgetika, Anästhetika oder Sedativa erfordert eine gründliche Kenntnis von Pharmakokinetik und -dynamik der Medikamente. Außerdem können Medikamente zur Sedierung/Allgemeinanästhesie bei operierten Kindern zu Anästhesie- oder Analgesie-bedingten Komplikationen einschließlich Störungen der geistigen Entwicklung führen. ZIEL: Auf Basis unserer klinischen Erfahrung und einer Literaturübersicht stellen wir die gängigsten in der pädiatrischen Dermatochirurgie verwendeten Analgetika, Anästhetika und Sedativa dar und diskutieren Risiken und Komplikationen nach dermatochirurgischen Eingriffen.

ERGEBNISSE

Topische Anästhetika können bei Kindern für oberflächliche dermatologische Eingriffe oder vor einer Infiltrationsanästhesie eingesetzt werden. Die Berechnung der empfohlenen Maximaldosen auf Basis des Körpergewichts ist erforderlich, um eine Überdosierung von Lokalanästhetika zu vermeiden. Die Allgemeinanästhesie gilt bei der Dermatochirurgie als sicher und hat eine geringe Nebenwirkungsrate. Allerdings ist bei Kindern im ersten Lebensjahr aufgrund potentieller langfristiger neurologischer Nebenwirkungen Vorsicht angebracht. NSAR und Opioide spielen bei der Analgesie von Kindern eine bedeutende Rolle.

SCHLUSSFOLGERUNGEN

Dieser Artikel gibt eine Übersicht über die derzeit verfügbaren Daten zu Analgesie, Anästhesie und Komplikationen, die im Rahmen der pädiatrischen Dermatochirurgie auftreten können. Diese Daten können dabei helfen, die Sicherheit und Qualität der Versorgung zu optimieren und die Beratung der Eltern zu verbessern.

Dermatologic surgery in children: an update on indication, anesthesia, analgesia and potential perioperative complications

BACKGROUND

Children undergoing dermatosurgical procedures require, unlike adults, particular attention; the administration of various analgesics, anesthetics or sedatives requires a thorough knowledge of drug pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Furthermore, there are concerns that drugs used for sedation/general anesthesia may result in anesthetic/analgesic complications in children undergoing surgery, with a risk of impaired mental development.

OBJECTIVES

Based on our clinical experience and a literature review, we illustrate the most commonly used analgesic, anesthetic and sedative drugs in pediatric dermatosurgery, and identify risk factors and complications following dermatosurgical procedures.

RESULTS

Topical anesthetics can be used in children for superficial dermatologic procedures or prior to infiltration anesthesia. Maximum recommended doses based on body weight should be calculated in order to avoid overdosage of local anesthetics. General anesthesia in dermatosurgery is considered safe and has a low rate of side effects. However, caution is advised in children under the age of one due to potential long-term neurological side-effects. NSAIDs and opioids play a significant role in analgesia for children.

CONCLUSIONS

This article reviews currently available data on analgesia, anesthesia and complications that may arise in pediatric dermatosurgery. These data may be useful in optimizing the safety and quality of care and in improving parent counseling.

Digital Arthrodesis of the Lesser Toes

Foot and ankle surgeons frequently treat digital deformities of the lesser toes surgically. Arthrodesis of the proximal interphalangeal joint is the workhorse procedure for correction of hammer toe contractures. Fusion of the interphalangeal joint can be fixated with a variety of methods, including K-wire fixation, intramedullary implants, absorbable pins, and screws. Each method of fixation has advantages and disadvantages, such as variations in complication rates, cost, and fusion rates. Further research is necessary to determine the best method of fixation for digital interphalangeal joint fusion."

Post-traumatic Digital Gangrene Associated with Epinephrine Use in Primary Raynaud's Phenomenon: Lesson for the Future

Background

Following digital surgical procedures, the ensuing post-operative course may be complicated by the presence of underlying ischaemic or vasospastic process. In the presence of such conditions, post-operative ischaemic changes may be further exacerbated with the use of local anaesthetics in combination with epinephrine.

Case Details

We report a 21 year-old female who presented with an amputated fifth digit due to a rapidly spreading gangrene which started immediately after the surgical repair of a traumatic laceration which was infiltrated with a pre-mixed solution of lignocaine and epinephrine 3 hours earlier. The patient's final diagnosis was epinephrine-associated digital gangrene in the background of primary Raynaud's Phenomenon (RP).

Conclusion

The author reports this case in order to reiterate the importance of thorough clinical evaluation prior to the use of epinephrine in digital anaesthesia as well as to increase awareness on how primary RP can be complicated by gangrene.

A Review of Local Anesthetics: Minimizing Risk and Side Effects in Cutaneous Surgery

BACKGROUND

The specialty of dermatology relies heavily on local anesthesia for diagnosis and management of skin disease. The appropriate selection, preparation, administration, and monitoring of these medications affect surgical outcome and patient safety and satisfaction.

OBJECTIVE

To perform a comprehensive literature review of the side effects and risks associated with local anesthetics used in cutaneous surgery. Current recommendations to reduce risk and minimize side effects are reviewed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A comprehensive review of the English-language medical literature search was performed.

RESULTS

No current review articles of the side effects and risks of local anesthetics were identified. This review serves to discuss local anesthetics commonly used in dermatology and cutaneous surgery along with practical information regarding prevention of adverse outcomes and addressing local and systemic reactions when they arise.

CONCLUSION

Local anesthetics commonly used in cutaneous surgery have potential risks and side effects. Appropriate selection and utilization of local anesthetics and knowledge of the means to prevent and address these risks can impact surgical outcomes, patient satisfaction and safety, and ultimately patient experience in the dermatology clinic.

Digital Necrosis After Lidocaine and Epinephrine Injection in the Flexor Tendon Sheath Without Phentolamine Rescue

The literature generally supports the safety of epinephrine injection in the digits, but recent case reports describe ischemic adverse events associated with the use of lidocaine and epinephrine in which phentolamine rescue was not performed. We present a case of finger necrosis and subsequent amputation in a patient after 1% lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine was injected in the fat and flexor sheaths in the palm for a 3-finger trigger release. Phentolamine rescue was not performed. All surgeons who use epinephrine in the finger should be prepared to reverse vasoconstriction with phentolamine rescue if there is persistently inadequate perfusion of the fingertip.

Self-Inflicted Nailgun-Induced Penetrating Penile Injury: Case Report and Discussion

Penetrating penile injuries occur mostly in industrial/work accidents, automobile accidents, or as a result of sexual curiosity and attempts at self-expression/mutilation. In this case report, the authors describe an accidental nailgun injury to the penis of a 46-year-old man. We discuss the management of such injuries in the emergency department, including the utility of a dorsal penile block for regional anesthesia. Although exceptionally rare, familiarity with penetrating lower urinary tract injuries may reduce their long-term repercussions on genitourinary and sexual health.

Identifying and Managing Local Anesthetic Allergy in Dermatologic Surgery

BACKGROUND

Local anesthetic (LA) allergy is a concern for dermatologic surgeons given the large number of procedures performed yearly with LAs. Many patients also have anxiety about past or potential anesthesia allergy.

OBJECTIVE

This article will review the symptoms of IgE-mediated allergic reactions, the prevalence of IgE-mediated LA allergy, discuss common mimics of LA, and propose a practical approach for diagnostic and therapeutic options for LA allergy for the dermatologic surgeon in practice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A literature search of Pubmed using keywords "lidocaine," "local anesthetic," "hypersensitivity," and "allergy" was performed.

RESULTS

Amide anesthetics result in the most reports of true local anesthetic immediate hypersensitivity.

CONCLUSION

True IgE-mediated anaphylaxis to local anesthesia is very rare. Dermatologic surgeons should be aware of the symptoms of anesthetic allergy and its mimickers, as well as how to manage allergic reactions in their clinical practice.

Guidelines for the use of local anesthesia in office-based dermatologic surgery

There are an increasing number and variety of dermatologic surgical procedures performed safely in the office setting. This evidence-based guideline addresses important clinical questions that arise regarding the use and safety of local anesthesia for dermatologic office-based procedures. In addition to recommendations for dermatologists, this guideline also takes into account patient preferences while optimizing their safety and quality of care. The clinical recommendations presented here are based on the best evidence available as well as expert opinion.

Digital block with or without the addition of epinephrine in the anesthetic solution

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Review of various techniques for digital blocks with local anesthetic, with or without epinephrine.

CONTENTS

Description of various procedures and comparison of results reported in the literature, mainly on latency and quality of anesthesia, details on vasoconstrictor effect of epinephrine, intraoperative bleeding, necessity of tourniquet use, duration of anesthesia and postoperative analgesia, blood flow and digital SpO2 behavior, local and systemic complications, and also approaches and drugs to be used in certain situations of ischemia.

CONCLUSIONS

The advantages of adding epinephrine to the anesthetic solution are minor when compared to the risks of the procedure, and it seems dangerous to use a vasoconstrictor in the fingers, unless the safety of the technique and the possibility of discarding the tourniquet are definitely proven.

Common Dermatologic Procedures

Dermatologists perform a wide variety of procedures on a daily basis. The skin biopsy is a fundamental technique that can be performed by all physicians who manage cutaneous conditions. Specimens should always be sent for pathologic evaluation, regardless of whether the sampled lesion appears benign. Postoperative care and education are critical for minimizing complications.

Pain management strategies in hand surgery

Modern anesthetic agents have allowed for the rapid expansion of ambulatory surgery, particularly in hand surgery. The choice between general anesthesia, peripheral regional blocks, regional intravenous anesthesia (Bier block), local block with sedation, and the recently popularized wide-awake hand surgery depends on several variables, including the type and duration of the procedure and patient characteristics, coexisting conditions, location, and expected length of the procedure. This article discusses the various perioperative and postoperative analgesic options to optimize the hand surgical patients' experience.

[Digital block with or without the addition of epinephrine in the anesthetic solution]

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Review of various techniques for digital blocks with local anesthetic, with or without epinephrine.

CONTENTS

Description of various procedures and comparison of results reported in the literature, mainly on latency and quality of anesthesia, details on vasoconstrictor effect of epinephrine, intraoperative bleeding, necessity of tourniquet use, duration of anesthesia and postoperative analgesia, blood flow and digital SpO2 behavior, local and systemic complications, and also approaches and drugs to be used in certain situations of ischemia.

CONCLUSIONS

The advantages of adding epinephrine to the anesthetic solution are minor when compared to the risks of the procedure, and it seems dangerous to use a vasoconstrictor in the fingers, unless the safety of the technique and the possibility of discarding the tourniquet are definitely proven.

[Ingrown nails or onychocryptosis]

Ingrown nails come down to a conflict between the nail plate and the periungual tissue, causing pain, morbidity and impairment. The feet are mainly affected. The treatments are numerous: medical, podiatric, or surgical. Surgical management has two approaches: the techniques focused on the periungual skin and those on the nail plate. Among the latter, partial nail avulsion followed by matrix phenolization, known as "Boll's technique", is still highly regarded.

Use of adrenalin with lidocaine in hand surgery

OBJECTIVE

Because of the received wisdom within our setting that claims that local anesthesia should not be used with adrenalin in hand surgery; we conducted a study using lidocaine with adrenalin, to demonstrate its safety, utility and efficacy.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective study in which, in wrist, hand and finger surgery performed from July 2012 onwards, we used local anesthesia comprising a 1% lidocaine solution with adrenalin at 1:100,000. We evaluated the quantity of bleeding, systemic alterations, signs of arterial deficit and complications, among other parameters. We described the infiltration techniques for specific procedures individually.

RESULTS

We operated on 41 patients and chose to describe separately the raising of a lateral microsurgical flap on the arm, which was done without excessive bleeding and within the usual length of time. In only three cases was there excessive bleeding or use of bipolar tweezers. No systemic alterations were observed by the anesthesiologists or any complications relating to ischemia and necrosis in the wounds or in the fingers, and use of tourniquets was not necessary in any case.

CONCLUSIONS

Use of lidocaine with adrenalin in hand surgery was shown to be a safe local anesthetic technique, without complications relating to necrosis. It provided efficient exsanguination of the surgical field and made it possible to perform the surgical procedures without using a pneumatic tourniquet, thereby avoiding its risks and benefiting the patient through lower sedation.