Outpatient treatment of upper extremity injuries in childhood using intravenous regional anaesthesia.

Intravenous (i.v.) regional anaesthesia was used in outpatient treatment of 400 upper extremity fractures and dislocations in children ranging in age from 3 to 16 years. All reductions were performed in the emergency department. Good analgesia was achieved in 90% of the patients, and only nine children (2.3%) had unacceptable reductions that required further treatment under general anaesthesia. Intravenous regional anaesthesia is a safe and effective procedure that facilitates outpatient treatment of upper extremity injuries in children.