Anesthesia methods after surgical treatment of distal radial fracture significantly impact early patterns of postoperative pain and opioid consumption equivalents, according to results. However, no difference was seen between anesthesia methods with regard to total opioid equivalent consumption during the first 3 postoperative days and long-term outcomes.

Researchers conducted a randomized clinical trial of 88 patients who underwent volar plate fixation for displaced distal radial fractures. There were 44 patients assigned to general anesthesia and 44 patients had regional anesthesia. Total opioid equivalent consumption during the first 3 postoperative days was the primary outcome. Other outcomes included the VAS for pain, maximum pain, postoperative nausea and vomiting, perioperative time consumption, function outcomes, patient-rated wrist evaluation and EuroQoL-5D three levels (EQ-5D-3L) up to 6 months.