The use of intravenous regional anaesthesia for the reduction of Colles' fractures.

Intravenous regional anaesthesia in the reduction of Colles' fracture was compared in 70 patients with 55 others who were treated with general anaesthetics. It was found to be easier and to involve a shorter waiting time, not to require patients to be supervised so long during recovery, and after this method it was less frequently necessary for patients to be taken home by ambulance. Its disadvantages were that it took longer, and could not be used for psychiatric patients or children.