Regional block or general anaesthesia?

When patients require surgery on a finger, a ring block is usually used without much consideration given to general anaesthesia (GA). However, if the procedure involves the hand, GA becomes the technique of choice for most anaesthetists, unless there are significant co-existent medical problems. Regional anaesthesia is perceived by most anaesthetists to be safer for many of these patients, but if used only occasionally, it is unlikely to have the success that the regular practitioner might anticipate. For many anaesthetists, unreliability has led to premature abandonment of the techniques. For others, the techniques provide a very useful and satisfying alternative to GA for many routine procedures in patients with or without co-existing morbidity.