UMEM Educational Pearls

Title: Hematoma blocks

Keywords: hematoma blocks, fracture analgesia (PubMed Search)

Posted: 11/24/2012 by Brian Corwell, MD
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Hematoma blocks for distal radius fractures

Hematoma blocks provide safe, effective analgesia without an increased risk of post procedural infections when compared with other regional blocks

Provide equal reduction quality AND pain control as procedural sedation with Propofol.

However, mean time to reduction (0.9 vs. 2.6 hours) and time to discharge post procedure (0.74 vs. 1.17 hours) were reduced with hematoma blocks.

Consider this option next time the department is busy or the patient is not an ideal procedural sedation candidate.

Emiley P, Schreier S and Pryor P. Hematoma Blocks for Reduction of Distal Radius Fractures. Emergency Physicians Monthly. September 2012. 16-17.