Single Injection Infraclavicular vs. Distal Peripheral Nerve Block for Wrist and Hand Surgery

INTERVENTION: Distal Peripheral Nerve Block Group: A preoperative (30 mins prior to surgery) one‐off ultrasound guided block of the radial (at distal humerus), median and ulnar nerves (at the forearm level) will be performed using 3x 6 ml of ropivacaine 0.5%.Patients will also receive an ultrasound‐guided infraclavicular injection of lignocaine 1.5% 30 ml with adrenaline 1/200,000 40 mins prior to surgery to cover torniquet pain. CONDITION: Analgesia after wrist and hand surgery PRIMARY OUTCOME: Patient satisfaction as assessed by patient questionnaire using a simple 11‐point numerical rating satisfaction scale. SECONDARY OUTCOME: Arm numbness/weakness as assessed by questionnaire and 11‐point numerical rating numbness/weakness scale. Postoperative pain as assessed by patient questionnaire and 11‐point numerical rating pain scale. Procedural pain using simple 11‐point numerical rating pain scale. Surgical anaesthesia success as assessed by the primary surgeon (patient interrogation) INCLUSION CRITERIA: Patients requiring surgical anaesthesia for hand or wrist surgery under the care of the principal and co‐investigators.