title: Use of a needleless injection system for digital ring block anesthesia.
abstract: Digital ring block anesthesia, which is frequently used before surgery for ingrown toenails, is often extremely uncomfortable for patients and can be the most distressing aspect of the procedure. The authors used a novel needleless injection device to induce digital anesthesia before surgery and compared it in terms of patient discomfort and preference with use of a standard needle and syringe for injection in individuals undergoing simultaneous bilateral nail procedures. Use of the needleless device significantly reduced the pain associated with this procedure and was preferred over use of a standard needle and syringe by all individuals. Other potential advantages of a needleless injection system are discussed.
authors.affiliation: The Academic Vascular Unit, Department of Surgery, The Royal Free and University College London Medical School, The Middlesex Hospital, London, England.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dialynas
authors.forename: Simon J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Hollingsworth
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cooper
authors.forename: Stephen G E
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Barker
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000772:Anesthesia, Local / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009263:Nails, Ingrown / Q000601:surgery*; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000295:instrumentation*; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology