NITROUS-OXIDE COMPARED WITH INTRAVENOUS REGIONAL ANESTHESIA IN PEDIATRIC FOREARM FRACTURE MANIPULATION

A prospective, randomized study of intravenous (i.v.) regional anesthe sia compared with nitrous oxide gas was performed in a group of 28 ped iatric patients with forearm fractures requiring manipulation in the e mergency department. The groups were compared in terms of pain perceiv ed by the patients, success of manipulation, safety, and duration of p rocedure. The methods showed no significant difference in amount of pa in perceived by the patient for the total pain experience. No medical complication was seen in either group. Because of a technical problem with an i.v. regional block, fracture manipulation was not completed i n one patient. Nitrous oxide treatment required significantly less tim e for completion of the procedure.