INTRAVENOUS REGIONAL ANAESTHESIA FOR THE TREATMENT OF UPPER LIMB INJURIES IN CHILDHOOD

Abstract
A prospective study was made of the use of intravenous regional anaesthesia for the treatment of upper limb fractures and dislocations in 200 children aged from 3 to 15 years. An aqueous solution containing 5 mg/ml of lignocaine (0.5%) was administered in a dosage of 3 mg/kgm body weight, but dosages of 2 mg/kgm were used in each arm of a child with bilateral injuries. Intravenous regional anaesthesia was well a safe and effective method of treating these injuries in a casualty department with adequate resuscitation facilities and staff trained in the management of local anaesthetic toxicity.