Nitrous oxide compared with intravenous regional anesthesia in pediatric forearm fracture manipulation.

Abstract

A prospective, randomized study of intravenous (i.v.) regional anesthesia compared with nitrous oxide gas was performed in a group of 28 pediatric patients with forearm fractures requiring manipulation in the emergency department. The groups were compared in terms of pain perceived by the patients, success of manipulation, safety, and duration of procedure. The methods showed no significant difference in amount of pain 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 in one patient. Nitrous oxide treatment required significantly less time for completion of the procedure.