On today's episode, we challenge the long-held belief about avoiding the use of adrenaline (or epinephrine) in fingers, toes, ears, and noses, a fear largely rooted in the risk of gangrene or tissue necrosis.
Key points from today's conversation include:

The Origins: We explore the origins of this belief, tracing it back to the pioneering work of Braun in the early 20th century. He used a combination of cocaine and adrenaline for anesthesia, yet cautioned against excessive use, especially in the fingers.

Shaky Evidence: Despite the caution, we highlight that there have been only 48 reported cases of digital necrosis attributed to local anesthetics in the past 120 years. Interestingly, none involved the use of Xylocaine (lidocaine), and only 21 involved the use of epinephrine.

Persistent Dogma: Despite contradicting evidence, this cautionary stance has been ingrained in medical practice, thanks in part to influential textbooks such as Bunnell's 'Surgery of the Hand' and Frederick Christopher's 'Textbook of Surgery.'

Current Evidence: We delve into current studies, like the 2005 "Dalhousie Project," and a 2008 randomized-controlled study, both of which show no significant evidence of ischemia or tissue damage when using adrenaline. Furthermore, a peer-reviewed survey shows that the fear of using adrenaline in digits is still prevalent among junior doctors and medical students, highlighting the endurance of this myth.

The Cochrane Review: Although the Cochrane Review didn't add much to the discussion, it agreed with the other evidence that there's no conclusive proof that adrenaline causes finger Ischaemia.

Clinical Efficiency: The use of adrenaline in hand and finger surgeries could potentially increase clinical efficiency by eliminating the need for tourniquets and associated risks with sedation or general anesthesia.