title: Management of distal radius fractures in emergency departments in England and Wales.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine variations and consistencies in the emergency management of distal radial fractures across England and Wales.
  
  
  METHODS
  A survey was conducted of emergency departments (ED) in England and Wales regarding the acute management of patients with distal radius fractures. The study investigated the use of anaesthesia, the person performing both the anaesthetic and the manipulation, the use of resuscitation facilities and monitoring, the cast applied, the follow-up and the management of complex injuries or those in younger patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Surveys were conducted in 105 units, giving a response rate of 91% of ED in England and Wales. The most frequent anaesthetic types were haematoma block (50%), intravenous benzodiazepines (20%), Bier's block (17%) and a small minority using other techniques such as brachial plexus blocks (2%). Basic cardiorespiratory monitoring was variable, and 10% of trusts did not routinely monitor patients undergoing Bier's blocks or manipulation with sedatives. Only 50% of ED would manipulate comminuted fractures or fractures in young adult patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There are significant regional variations. The use of monitoring is highly variable and there are no consistent standards when administering potentially potent anaesthetic medications. The low percentage of units attempting reduction of complex fractures or fractures in young patients will disadvantage training in ED as well as patients. Guidelines are required to improve care, which is highly inconsistent at present.
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, Royal Gwent Hospital, Cardiff Road, Newport, Gwent NP10 8UD, South Wales, UK. harrysprot@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Harry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sprot
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Metcalfe
authors.forename: Adekoyejo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Odutola
authors.forename: Jeya
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Palan
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: White
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000758:Anesthesia / Q000379:methods*; D000777:Anesthetics / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D014852:Wales / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000777:Anesthetics