Nicholas Genovese, M.D. · Hand fractures

Distal phalanx fixation (mallet finger)

Case time
30 min
Room time
60 min
First post-op visit
2 weeks
Position and table
Supine, hand table
Tourniquet
18" arm tourniquet
Anesthesia
Local or MAC: 10 mL 50/50 mix of 1% lidocaine and 0.25% bupivacaine, both WITHOUT epinephrine
Equipment and implants
  • K-wires
Dressing and splint
Gauze, Adaptic, 1" Coban
Standard setup for every case

Table: almost every procedure can be done on the pre-op stretcher with a hand table attached.

Cautery: bipolar electrocautery for every case.

Tourniquet: local or MAC cases often use an Esmarch tourniquet, or a Tourni-cot for a finger. Cases under a nerve block use an 18" arm tourniquet.

Standard local: 10 mL total, 50/50 mix of 1% lidocaine with epinephrine and 0.25% bupivacaine (Marcaine) with epinephrine. Use local without epinephrine if the patient has a history of Raynaud's, and for the finger fracture and fusion cases marked "without epinephrine".

Base dressing on every wound: Adaptic, wet 4x4, dry 4x4, then the case-specific outer wrap or splint on the card.

Have available: hand tray, tourniquet, bipolar; Coban, Tegaderm, ACE wrap, Steri-Strips, benzoin or Mastisol; sutures 4-0 nylon, 4-0 Vicryl, 4-0 Monocryl, 3-0 Vicryl, 3-0 Monocryl.

Post-op appointments: most first post-op visits are at 2 weeks unless the card or the booking says otherwise. Book the first hand therapy visit at the same time as the post-op surgeon or PA visit.

Abbreviations: CRPP = closed reduction percutaneous pinning; ORPP = open reduction percutaneous pinning; ORIF = open reduction internal fixation; MAC = monitored anesthesia care; WALANT = wide-awake local anesthesia, no tourniquet.

Preference cards are a reference for operating room teams. The surgeon confirms the final plan, implants and anesthesia for each patient at booking. Questions: call the office at (858) 560-0242.

All preference cards
CallBook