Rudimentary anesthesia

[jagdkampf]

The post on hip fractures jogged some gray cells into pontificating on the possibility of anesthesia in remote locations. It would seem that regional anesthesia (local and nerve blocks) would be the obvious choices. But most regional techniques are beyond the skill level of most lay people. One technique I have wondered about for lay people would be chilling an effected area prior to suturing, etc. You would have to be very careful about not causing frostbite or freezing. Any ideas out there?
Jag

[tangent]

we used to have some stuff on this in the pharmacy, but RESQDOC wanted it pulled... intent was to start over and do it right from scratch.

might be a good time...

though there are also musings to get the lab thread started again...

[jagdkampf]

There used to be a topical anesthetic that utilized cold as an anesthetic agent. I can't remember the specific name at the moment but it had a very limited use. Primarily, to anesthetize fingernails so we could drill through the nail to relieve pressure from nail bed hematomas. I'll have to do a little research on the use of regional hypothermia as an anesthetic. I'll get back to you.
Jag

[Reasonable Rascal]

Physicians and Surgeons Supply sells the stuff in a can. Mostly aimed at dermatological procedures I believe, very small area application.

RR

[RESQDOC]

Ethyl Chloride. I have used it for numbing injection sites, suturing, spray & stretch techniques, resetting dislocated fingers & kneecaps, very useful for the small stuff. Very flammable, also expensive. You can cause frostbite & damage superficial nerves such as in digits, so be careful.

Ice is the cheap alternative, I have used it numb many small lacerations for repair, finger & kneecap dislocations, etc. Very handy, takes about 5-10 minutes after the pain of the cold fades away to be most effective.

Note that carbon dioxide, many propellants in spray products, and freon type agents produce an endothermic (cold) reaction and could possibly be used, although I have never tried it, just thinking out loud.

_________________
Do No Harm. Do Know Harm.

[cayoung]

As a licensed HVAC guy, I may be able to lend some help here.

There are several types of freon. Up till recently, the most common were R-12 and R-22. R-12 has a boiling point (at sea level) of about -22F, and R-22 boils about -40.

If you inverted a freon bottle, it would dispense liquid. This could be sprayed on, similar to ethyl chloride. Of course, due to environmental concerns, we would never do this in the real world.

Propane, butane, and some other vaporizing liquids would have the same chilling effect. Such as freeze gas from the electronics house, or "dust off" from the office supplies place. (dust off can held upside down, so as to dispense liquid).

Just thinking out loud, here, fellahs.

[Darkangel]

Ethyl chloride............you can't use that anymore.........JCAH. When I was in the Army I just used an Ice pack........usually for simple lacs. One or two sutures on a chin kinda thing.
For Fx hips the best thing is a traction splint, or immobilization and an easy drive to the ER. Ice would be ok and appreaceated by the Orthopod, but access in the field would be the hard thing. An IV and a little MSO4 always worked.
later
DA
Lucky I just found this site again