LAUSR

OBJECTIVE Complete anesthesia of the phalanges of the fingers and toes. INDICATIONS All lesions distal to the metacarpophalangeal/metatarsophalangeal joint. CONTRAINDICATIONS Local infections at the injection site. Lesions proximal to the metacarpophalangeal/metatarsophalangeal joint. TECHNIQUE A subcutaneous deposit of a 0.5-2% local anesthetic is administered dorsoradially and dorsoulnarly at the base of the metacarpophalangeal/metatarsophalangeal joint. With the cannula advanced to palmar, an additional 0.5-1.5 ml is then administered to achieve complete anesthesia. POSTOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT The effect of the local anesthesia is self-limiting. RESULTS The Oberst block results in reliable anesthesia of the finger and toe. All surgical procedures distal to the metacarpophalangeal/metatarsophalangeal joint can be performed without pain.