Is it True that Injecting Palmar Finger Skin Hurts more than Dorsal Skin? New Level 1 Evidence

Abstract

Background Since the first texts on local anesthesia were written in the early 1900s, it has been widely quoted and believed that dorsal finger skin is less sensitive to needlestick pain than volar finger skin. The result is that the most commonly used finger block for local anesthesia is the dorsal two injection technique. Methods In this study, the needlestick discomfort associated with dorsal and volar finger skin was compared in a group of 78 volunteers who had the long finger of both hands poked with a 25 G needle; one in the midline of the volar side and the other in the lateral web space of the dorsal side. Volunteers then completed a pain scale for each needlestick and ranked which technique they would prefer for future injections. Results We found that there was no significant difference in needlestick pain or preference of future needle location between the dorsal and volar aspects of the finger. Conclusions We provide level 1 evidence that the needlestick of the SIMPLE block which has one needlestick on the volar side of the finger is not more painful than the needlestick of the dorsal finger block.