The radiographic quality of conservatively managed distal radius fractures in adults using haematoma block versus intravenous sedation.

OBJECTIVE

We compared the radiographic quality of initial reduction of distal radius fractures reduced using haematoma block to those reduced with intravenous sedation. The overall rate of re-manipulation and complications were noted.

METHODS

A prospective study carried out at the emergency unit of our hospital between 1st September, 2017 and 31st December, 2018. Patients were consecutively recruited into Haematoma Block (HB) and Sedation(S) groups using the simple balloting method. After 5-10 min of administering anaesthesia, the fracture was reduced and immobilized in a below-to-elbow Plaster of Paris (P.O.P) cast for 6 weeks. The pre- and post-reduction radiographs were reviewed for volar tilt, radial angulation, radial deviation and radial shortening.

RESULTS

Sixty-seven patients completed the study with 33 patients in HB group and 34 patients in S group. There was no significant difference in the radiographic quality of initial reduction between the two groups using the Sarmiento's modification of Lindström criteria (p = 0.49). Five out of 34 patients among the sedated group had gastrointestinal symptoms. The overall rate of re-manipulation was low and the complications recorded were wrist stiffness and residual wrist deformity.

CONCLUSION

Our study revealed that there was no significant difference in the radiographic quality of initial reduction between the groups. Excellent to good reduction was achieved with both anaesthetic options. The choice of anaesthesia should be individualized and based on surgeons' preference.