Comparative anatomical study of digital block with the WALANT, interdigital, and transthecal techniques

Interdigital block and transthecal block through the flexor sheath are commonly used techniques for the anesthesia of isolated fingers. The wide-awake local anesthetic no-tourniquet technique is a relatively new approach for local anesthesia during finger procedures. The anatomical spread of local anesthetics with the wide-awake local anesthetic no tourniquet technique has not been described adequately.This anatomical study aimed to assess the distribution of a local anesthetic dye solution to the digital nerves. The study was designed to compare the nerve staining effect using the wide-awake local anesthetic no tourniquet and the transthecal and interdigital techniques in cadavers. We hypothesized that the wide-awake local anesthetic no tourniquet technique stains digital nerves more effectively than the interdigital and transthecal digital injection techniques.