Intravenous regional anesthesia.

A series of 33 patients who underwent intravenous regional anesthesia for treatment of orthopedic and surgical procedures is reported. Intravenous regional anethesia is a safe and reliable alternative to general or other regional anesthesia techniques for use in the emergency department. The technique is easily mastered and requires minimal special equipment. The agent of choice is lidocaine in a dosage of 3 mg/kg administered as a 0.5% solution. Complications are few and are usually related to rapid systemic absorption of the anesthetic agent or minor mistakes in technique.