Implementation of Inhaled Methoxyflurane for the Reduction of Distal Radius Fractures in a Third-Level Hospital: A Descriptive Cohort Study

Abstract

Orthopedic emergencies due to fractures are one of the main reasons for surgical intervention. The distal radius is a structure prone to fractures, particularly in young people. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the success rate of methoxyflurane in the reduction in distal radius fractures that required conservative treatment. The medical records of all the patients with Frykman type I and type II distal radius fractures who underwent fracture reduction with methoxyflurane or propofol from December 2021 to January 2023 were reviewed. The success rate of distal radius fracture reduction with methoxyflurane was analyzed, and the secondary outcomes, such as the recovery time and length of stay in the orthopedic emergency department, were assessed and compared with propofol. A total of 145 patients with distal radius fractures presented to the emergency department during the study period. Seventy-five patients met our inclusion criteria. Fifty patients had a fracture reduction with methoxyflurane, while twenty patients received propofol. The median recovery time and reduction duration were 30 min and 65.5 min, respectively, resulting in a shorter period for the methoxyflurane group. Methoxyflurane was successfully used in 48 of the 82 patients undergoing Frykman type I and type II distal radius fracture reduction while improving the recovery time due to its easy self-delivery and rapid effectiveness in the patient, as well as being able to estimate the level of pain so that the amount of anesthetic needed can be estimated and adverse effects avoided. Methoxyflurane represents a great candidate for surgical interventions like the reduction in distal radius fractures.