Efficacy of Hematoma Block VS Conscious Sedation in Terms of Pain Relief for Manipulation and Reduction of Distal Radius Fracture

Abstract

Objective: To compare the efficacy of hematoma block versus conscious sedation for closed reduction of distal radius fractures. Study Design and Setting: This was a Randomized Control Trial was conducted at Dr. Ziauddin University Hospital between 1st July 2018 and 31st July 2020. Methodology: A total of 158 patients underwent closed reduction of distal radius fractures in emergency department; these patients were divided in two groups of 79 each. Hematoma block was used as an analgesic in group A whereas conscious sedation was used on the patients in group B. Both groups were then compared for effectiveness in terms of pain reduction and SPSS software version 25 was used for data analysis. Results: Median age in group A was 44 years (IQR=37-48.5 years) and 40 years (IQR=30-47.50 years) in group B. The median pain score in group A [3 (IQR=2-5)] was significantly lesser than group B [5 (IQR=3-6)] with p=0.001. In group A effectiveness was achieved in patients was 69.6% and in group B effectiveness was achieved in patients was 35.44%. Statistically there was significant difference observed in proportion of efficacy between groups with p=0.001. Conclusion: This study show that hematoma block is more effective than conscious sedation in closed manual reduction of distal radius fractures in terms of pain relief.