ABSTRACT
A controlled, randomized single-blinded study was performed on the thumbs and little fingers of 20 cadaver hands. The digits were randomly divided into 2 groups. In the transthecal group, 2 mL of 0.5% methylene blue was injected into the tendon sheath at the A1 pulley. In the subcutaneous group, the same amount of dye was injected into the subcutaneous tissue superficial to the A1 pulley. The injections were performed by 2 investigators. They exchanged specimens and performed dissections on the injected digits without knowledge of which technique had been used. The distributions of dye along the digit and the color intensity of the dye on the digital nerves were studied. There was no significant difference (p > .05) between results for the 2 techniques. It was expected that both techniques would result in similar anesthetic distribution in the clinical setting. In the transthecal group, intra-articular staining of the metacarpophalangeal joint was noted in 3 little fingers and 1 thumb. This complication did not occur in the subcutaneous group. This difference was significant (p < .05).
Subject(s)
Fingers/innervation , Nerve Block/methods , Cadaver , Humans , Injections , Injections, Subcutaneous , Methylene Blue/pharmacokinetics , Single-Blind Method , Tendons , Thumb/innervationABSTRACT
A randomized double-blinded study was performed on 20 normal volunteers to evaluate 2 different techniques of single-injection digital anesthesia. Single-injection transthecal digital block technique was used to anesthetize 1 index finger and single-injection subcutaneous technique to block the other index finger. Pain and light touch were evaluated and sensory nerve-conduction studies were performed on both index fingers. These data were obtained prior to the nerve blocks and then at 10-minute intervals until recovery from the anesthesia. The method of anesthesia was found to have no effect on the distribution, onset, and duration of anesthesia. Median and radial nerve sensory nerve action potential amplitude reductions following digital anesthesia were also not influenced by the technique of anesthesia. Single-injection subcutaneous block was found to be easier to administer and to produce less pain during and 24 hours after injection than did the single-injection transthecal technique.
Subject(s)
Fingers/innervation , Lidocaine , Nerve Block/methods , Adult , Double-Blind Method , Female , Humans , Injections , Injections, Subcutaneous , Male , Median Nerve/drug effects , Nociceptors/drug effects , Pain Threshold/drug effects , Radial Nerve/drug effects , Sensory Thresholds/drug effects , Tendons , Touch/drug effectsABSTRACT
An 18-year-old woman with congenital flexion contractures of the ulnar three digits bilaterally is presented. She had a three-generation family history of this disorder with autosomal dominant inheritance. Magnetic resonance imaging scan of the wrist and forearm was used to demonstrate a hypoplasia of the digital extensor muscles and tendons.
Subject(s)
Tendons/abnormalities , Wrist/abnormalities , Adolescent , Contracture/congenital , Female , Forearm/abnormalities , Humans , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Muscle, Skeletal/abnormalitiesABSTRACT
Since elective surgery for bleeding peptic ulcer disease has declined, the surgical opinion is that patients who undergo emergency operation have more advanced disease and possibly a poorer outcome. We examined current mortality for surgical correction of upper gastrointestinal (UGI) bleeding from peptic ulcer disease. Between July 1, 1986, and December 31, 1990, 1,213 patients had esophagogastroduodenoscopy for UGI bleeding (659 with peptic ulcer disease, 219 with gastroesophageal varices, 152 with esophagitis, 83 with other causes, and 100 with no source found). Of 110 patients with peptic ulcer disease treated by endoscopic methods, bleeding was controlled in 90, and 20 required operation for failed endoscopic control. Another 22 patients had primary operation for exigent bleeding with diagnostic endoscopy only. The overall results in our series compared favorably with two pre-therapeutic endoscopy index series (Nottingham, 1982; University of Pittsburgh, 1982). Our operation rate was 6%, with a mortality rate of 7%, compared with operation rates of 15% to 27%, with mortality rates of 21% to 22% in the historical control series. In conclusion, we found that: (1) endoscopic control of UGI bleeding from peptic ulcer disease has decreased the incidence of operation compared with historical series; (2) overall operative mortality is decreasing; and (3) the major postoperative complication is rebleeding.
