UMEM Educational Pearls

Title: Hematoma Block

Keywords: Hematoma Block, anesthesia, fracture reduction (PubMed Search)

Posted: 12/27/2012 by Brian Corwell, MD (Emailed: 1/26/2013) (Updated: 4/29/2024)
Click here to contact Brian Corwell, MD

Hematoma Block

Provides good aesthesia for reduction of fractures. Onset in approximately 5 minutes

Benefits: No need for NPO, simple and easy to perform & can be done without additional personnel (unlike w/ procedural sedation)

Contraindications: Open fractures, dirty or infected overlying skin

1) Identify fracture site with x-ray and palpation

2) Clean skin w/ Betadine

3) Insert needle into the hematoma. * Confirm placement by aspirating blood *

4) Inject anesthetic (lidocaine 1 or 2%) into the fracture cavity and adjacent periosteum

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjnsdjfwMmY