Search

Purpose: Wide-awake local anesthesia no tourniquet (WALANT) is an increasingly popular surgical technique. However, owing to surgeon preference, patient factors, or hospital guidelines, it may not be feasible to inject patients with solutions containing epinephrine the recommended 25 minutes prior to incision. The purpose of this study was to assess pain and patient experience after short hand surgeries done under local anesthesia using a tourniquet rather than epinephrine for hemostasis., Methods: Ninety-six consecutive patients undergoing short hand procedures using only local anesthesia and a tourniquet (LA-T) were assessed before and after surgery. A high arm pneumatic tourniquet was used in 73 patients and a forearm pneumatic tourniquet was used in 23. All patients received a local, unbuffered plain lidocaine injection. No patients received sedation. Pain related to local anesthesia, pneumatic tourniquet, and the procedure was assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS). Patient experience was assessed using a study-specific questionnaire based on previous WALANT studies. Tourniquet times were recorded., Results: Mean pain related to anesthetic injection was rated 3.9 out of 10. Mean tourniquet related pain was 2.9 out of 10 for high arm pneumatic tourniquets and 2.3 out of 10 for forearm pneumatic tourniquets. Patients rated their experience with LA-T favorably and 95 of 96 patients (99%) reported that they would choose LA-T again for an equivalent procedure. Mean tourniquet time was 9.6 minutes and only 1 patient had a tourniquet inflated for more than 20 minutes. Tourniquet times less than 10 minutes were associated with less pain than tourniquet times greater than 10 minutes (P < .05); however, both groups reported the tourniquet to be on average less painful than the local anesthetic injection., Conclusion: Short wide-awake procedures using a tourniquet are feasible and well accepted. Local anesthetic injection was reported to be more painful than pneumatic tourniquet use. Tourniquets for short wide-awake procedures can be used in settings in which preprocedure epinephrine injections are logistically difficult or based on surgeon preference., Type of Study/level of Evidence: Therapeutic IV., (Copyright © 2020 American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Trigger finger release utilizing wide-awake local anesthesia no tourniquet (WALANT) usage in extremity surgery is not widely used in our setting due to the possibility of necrosis. Usage of a tourniquet is generally acceptable for providing surgical field hemostasis. We evaluate hemostasis score, surgical field visibility, onset and duration of anesthesia, pain score, and the duration of surgery and potential side effects of WALANT., Methods: Eighty-six patients scheduled for trigger finger release between July 2016 and December 2017 were randomized into a control group (1% lignocaine and 8.4% sodium bicarbonate with arm tourniquet; given 10 min prior to procedure) and an intervention group (1% lignocaine, 1:100,000 of adrenaline and 8.4% sodium bicarbonate; given 30 min prior to procedure), with a total of 4 ml of solution injected around the A1 pulley. The onset of anesthesia and pain score upon injection of the first 1 ml were recorded. After the procedure, the surgeon rated for the hemostasis score (1-10: 1 as no bleeding and 10 being profuse bleeding). Duration of surgery and return of sensation were recorded., Results: Hemostasis score was grouped into visibility score as 1-3: good, 4-6: moderate, and 7-10: poor. The intervention group (with adrenaline) had a 74% of good surgical field visibility compared to 44% from the controlled group (without adrenaline; p < 0.05). Duration of anesthesia was longer in the intervention group (with adrenaline), with a 2.77-h difference., Conclusion: WALANT provides excellent surgical field visibility and is safe and on par with conventional methods but without the usage of a tourniquet and its associated discomfort.

Purpose: Minor hand surgeries can be done under field sterility in procedure rooms. Surgeons are still sceptical about the usage of wide awake local anaesthesia no tourniquet (WALANT) technique. They perceive that patients can tolerate tourniquet for a brief period while they perform minor surgeries under local anaesthesia (LA). We compared the perceived comfort experienced by patients during minor hand surgeries with WALANT and LA/tourniquet. We investigated the difference in preoperative preparation time, operating time and blood loss between the two groups., Methods: Between July and October 2016, a total of 72 patients were diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger or ganglion, at the University Malaya Medical Centre. Forty patients consented to participate in this study and were randomized into WALANT and LA/tourniquet groups. Anaesthesia was administered accordingly and tourniquet was applied. The time taken for preoperative preparation and surgery was recorded. Each surgeon estimated the blood loss. The perceived comfort level of each patient was quantified using a visual analogue score (VAS). Data were analysed using SPSS., Results: The mean VAS for the WALANT group was 2.33 ± 1.94, whereas it was 4.72 ± 3.05 for the LA/tourniquet group, and the difference was statistically significant ( p < 0.05). The mean time for preoperative preparation in WALANT group was 19.17 ± 12.61 min and LA/tourniquet group was 7.05 ± 3.44 min. The difference between these groups was statistically significant ( p < 0.01). There was no significant difference in operating time and blood loss., Conclusion: WALANT technique was associated with better patient comfort. Tourniquet was the main reason for discomfort during surgeries. WALANT is an alternative in minor hand surgeries for a bloodless surgical field without the discomfort of tourniquet application.

Introduction: There has been an increase in the popularity of the wide-awake local anesthesia no-tourniquet (WALANT) procedure for various upper limb surgeries. The present study aims to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the satisfaction levels of 106 patients, considering factors such as age, gender, comorbidities, and the specific procedures they underwent. Method: The present study was a retrospective cohort study conducted to analyze the overall satisfaction of a cohort of 106 patients who underwent various surgical procedures of the hand between 2018 and 2023. The satisfaction was assessed with a questionnaire comprising 13 questions/statements adjusted to a standard Swiss grading system (from 1 = I strongly agree to 6 = I strongly disagree). Results: Overall satisfaction with WALANT was high, with most patients expressing positive experiences. Patients with hypertension reported similar satisfaction levels compared to those without, while diabetic patients experienced significantly higher anxiety levels during the procedure (p > 0.05). Conclusion: WALANT exhibits versatility as an anesthesia choice, demonstrating efficacy in both routine and complex hand surgeries. Our survey-based study reveals a high satisfaction level across diverse procedures. When assessing the correlation between WALANT satisfaction and patient comorbidities, hypertension displayed no significant impact, while diabetic patients reported heightened anxiety. Importantly, patient satisfaction remained consistently high even within the subgroup with comorbidities. Our results underscore WALANT's reliability in upper limb surgery, showcasing its usefulness and positive outcomes across a broad range of patients and surgical procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Wide-Awake Local Anaesthesia No Tourniquet (WALANT), a groundbreaking anaesthetic technique resurging in practice, warrants a comprehensive safety analysis for informed adoption. Our study aimed to identify complications/side effects of WALANT upper limb procedures through a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: This PROSPERO-registered study was performed with strict adherence to PRISMA guidelines. Embase, OVIDMedline, Cochrane, Web of Science, and Scopus databases were searched until February 2023. Inclusion criteria involved English articles, reporting complications/side effects in primary WALANT upper limb surgeries. Outcomes included all complications and side effects, data on the anaesthetic mixture, publication year/location, study type, and procedures performed. The meta-analysis employed the Freeman-Tukey Double Arcsine Transformation, computed I2 statistics, and utilized common or random effects models for pooled analysis. Results: 2002 studies were identified; 79 studies met the inclusion criteria representing 15,595 WALANT patients. A total of 301 patients had complications, and the meta-analysis using a random effects model provided a complication rate of 1.7% (95% CI: 0.93–2.7%). The most reported complications were superficial infection (41%, n = 123/300), other/specified (12%, n = 37/300), and recurrent disease (6.7%, n = 20/300). A decade-by-decade analysis revealed no statistically significant difference in complication rates spanning the last three decades (p = 0.42). Adding sodium bicarbonate to the anaesthetic solution significantly reduced postoperative complications (p = 0.025). Conclusion: WALANT has a low overall complication rate of 1.7%, with no significant temporal variation and a significant reduction in complications when sodium bicarbonate is added to the anaesthetic solution. Our findings support the safety of WALANT in upper limb procedures. Registration: PROSPERO: CRD42023404018. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY The purpose of this study was to assess the patient experience of trapeziectomy under WALANT for trapeziometacarpal joint (TMJ) osteoarthritis (OA) in a prospective study with 2-year follow-up. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study included 23 patients with TMJ OA undergoing trapeziectomy with WALANT. All patients were seen by a hand therapist preoperatively and at 3, 12, and 24 months postoperatively. At each visit, VAS pain scores, thumb range of motion, grip strength, and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score were assessed. The Picker Patient Experience (PPE-15) questionnaire was administered within 2 weeks of surgery. RESULTS All 23 patients completed the PPE-15 questionnaire. Their mean age was 64 years. The 21 patients who remained at the 24-month follow-up all said they would choose the same anaesthesia method again. At this follow-up, VAS pain scores, thumb range of motion, key pinch grip and DASH scores had improved significantly, while thumb opposition and hand grip strength remained largely unchanged. The majority of patients felt well informed before and during the procedure, and all patients rated pain relief as good or satisfactory. Nearly 40% of patients reported receiving inadequate information about the postoperative medications. DISCUSSION Patients have a positive attitude to trapeziectomy with WALANT, and seem to prefer WALANT over other methods of anaesthesia. Trapeziectomy with WALANT for TMJ OA is a safe procedure and appears to give a functional outcome similar to trapeziectomy under general anaesthesia. CONCLUSIONS Trapeziectomy with WALANT for TMJ OA is safe, preferred by patients and has similar clinical outcome as trapeziectomy in general anesthesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Wide-Awake Local Anesthesia No Tourniquet (WALANT) technique allows intraoperative motor assessment of tendon repair integrity of the hand compared with general anesthesia or brachial plexus block. No studies have tested the effect of adding dexmedetomidine to lidocaine on the analgesic properties of the WALANT technique, which is the aim of our study. Methods: A total of 128 patients aged more than 18 years were scheduled for surgical flexor tendon injury repair using WALANT technique. Patients were divided into two equal groups. Ultrasound-guided subcutaneous injection of lidocaine 1% with dexmedetomidine (1 µg/kg), Group D, or without dexmedetomidine, Group C, was performed at four points: proximal to the wrist joint, the distal forearm, palm region, and proximal phalanges. The primary outcome was total morphine consumption throughout the first postoperative day. Secondary outcomes included number of patients requiring rescue analgesia, time to first analgesic request, and pain score. Results: Total morphine consumption was significantly (P < 0.001) lower in group D (2.66 ± 0.998) than in group C (3.66 ± 1.144) mg. Number of patients requiring rescue analgesia was significantly (P < 0.001) lower in group D (54.7% (35)) than group C (100.0% (64)). The time for first request for analgesia was significantly (P < 0.001) longer in group D (11.31 ± 6.944) than in group C (5.91 ± 4.839) h. Pain score was significantly higher in group C than D at three (P < 0.001), and six (P = 0.001) hours (P = 0.001) postoperatively. Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine significantly improves the analgesic quality of WALANT when added to lidocaine with less opioid consumption. Trial registration: (ID: PACTR202203906027106; Date: 31/07/2023). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In traditional local anaesthesia surgeries, tourniquets are used to reduce blood loss. However, it may induce tourniquet pain. If a long tourniquet time is anticipated, regional or general anaesthesia may be required. Wide-awake local anaesthesia no tourniquet (WALANT) surgery suggests blood loss can be controlled by the use of adrenaline instead of a tourniquet. This study aims to investigate the difference in patient's pain perception, satisfaction and hemostasis control between two groups of patients, the WALANT group, who underwent WALANT surgery, and the traditional group, who underwent traditional local anaesthesia with tourniquet surgery. Methods: This was a prospective cohort study of patients who underwent common orthopaedic local anaesthesia surgeries in a regional hospital between January 2020 and December 2020. Operations were performed by two groups of surgeons: WALANT group and traditional group. Data were collected via questionnaires which included patients' demographics, diagnosis and operation type, surgeon experience, dosage and type of local anaesthesia use, tourniquet use, operation time, hemostasis status, difficulty of operation, patient's pain perception (pain during LA injection, wound site pain during operation, tourniquet pain, post-operative pain) and satisfaction. The data were analysed by Mann–Whitney U test with SPSS. Results: A total of 143 questionnaires were collected. The WALANT group suffered from less wound site pain during operation (p = 0.008), less tourniquet pain (p < 0.001) and less post-operative pain (p < 0.001). WALANT group had a longer operation time (p = 0.002). Both the traditional group and WALANT group were commented to have good haemostasis with a median score of 1 and 2, respectively, although the difference in hemostasis control value was significant (p < 0.001). Conclusion: WALANT surgery was safe and could achieve similar hemostasis with no limitation of tourniquet time and could significantly reduce post-operative pain compared with traditional local anaesthesia with tourniquet use. Level of evidence: Level II. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Distal radius fractures (DRF) are frequently treated with internal fixation under general anesthesia or a brachial plexus block. Recently, the wide-awake local anesthesia with no tourniquet (WALANT) technique has been suggested as a method that results in higher patient satisfaction. This study aimed to evaluate the functional outcomes, complications, and patient-reported outcomes of DRF plating surgery under both the WALANT and balanced anesthesia (BA). Methods: Ninety-three patients with DRFs who underwent open reduction and plating were included. Regarding the anesthetic technique, 38 patients received WALANT, while 55 received BA, comprised of multimodal pain control brachial plexus anesthesia with light general support. The patient's overall satisfaction in both groups and the intraoperative numerical rating scale of pain and anxiety (0–10) in the WALANT group were recorded. The peri-operative radiographic parameters were measured; the clinical outcomes, including Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QuickDASH) score, wrist mobility, and grip strength, were recorded in up to 1-year follow-up. Results presented with a mean difference and 95% confidence intervals and mean ± standard deviation. Results: The mean age of patients in the WALANT group was higher than in the BA group (63 ± 17 vs. 54 ± 17, P = 0.005), and there were fewer intra-articular DRF fractures in the WALANT group than in the BA group (AO type A/B/C: 30/3/5 vs. 26/10/19, P = 0.009). The reduction and plating quality were similar in both groups. The clinical outcomes at follow-up were comparable between the two groups, except the WALANT group had worse postoperative 3-month pronation (88% vs. 96%; − 8.0% [ − 15.7 to − 0.2%]) and 6-month pronation (92% vs. 100%; − 9.1% [ − 17.0 to − 1.2%]), and better postoperative 1-year flexion (94% vs. 82%; 12.0% [2.0–22.1%]). The overall satisfaction was comparable in the WALANT and BA groups (8.7 vs. 8.5; 0.2 [ − 0.8 to 1.2]). Patients in the WALANT group reported an injection pain scale of 1.7 ± 2.0, an intraoperative pain scale of 1.2 ± 1.9, and an intraoperative anxiety scale of 2.3 ± 2.8. Conclusion: The reduction quality, functional outcomes, and overall satisfaction were comparable between the WALANT and BA groups. With meticulous preoperative planning, the WALANT technique could be an alternative for DRF plating surgery in selected patients. Trial registration This retrospective study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital (KMUHIRB-E(I)-20210201). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The current study aimed to report on the safety and efficacy of utilizing a modified WALANT (mWALANT) technique during open surgical carpal tunnel release (CTR), where we used undiluted epinephrine compared to the originally described WALANT technique. Methods: From January 2015 till the end of June 2021, 200 patients (175 (87.5%) were females) who presented with carpal tunnel syndrome, either bilateral (108 (54%) patients) or unilateral (92 (46%)) were included, formulating a total of 308 procedures. Open surgical CTR was performed as a daycare procedure by the same surgeon. The mWALANT injectable mixture was prepared by mixing 8 CC of 2% lidocaine HCl + 1 CC of 0.25 mg/1 ml epinephrine without dilution (2.5 times the concentration used in the original WALANT technique). The injection was performed before draping. Results: The patients' average age at surgery was 42.88 ± 13.03 years old; they were followed up for an average of 31 ± 17.17 months. The average operative time was 9.5 ± 1.87 min. None (0.0%) of the patients needed top-up of local anesthesia or shift into general anesthesia, and no (0.0%) patients needed postoperative hospital stay. The average VAS during the surgical procedure was 2.5 ± 2.1, mainly reported during infiltration of the local anesthesia; no patients reported discomfort during the surgical procedure itself. 180 (90%) patients reported a full return to their usual preoperative ADL after an average of 4.7 ± 1.2 weeks. No (0.0%) postoperative fingers ischemic or temperature changes. Two (1%) patients experienced an adrenaline rush in the form of tachycardia that needed sedation and close monitoring by the anesthesiologist; they were discharged on the same day. One (0.5%) patient (who had uncontrolled diabetes mellitus) showed a superficial wound infection which resolved after conservative management. Conclusions: Using undiluted epinephrine during the mWALANT technique is safe and effective. There is no need to wait until the drugs fully function, and no epinephrine-related complications were encountered apart from occasional adrenaline rush symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Wide-Awake Local Anaesthesia Without Tourniquet (WALANT), with the benefit of simplicity and a low complication rate, is a well-recognised procedure in orthopaedic surgery. To date, there is no report using WALANT technique with the Camitz transfer procedure. The aim of this study is to determine the early outcomes of using WALANT for Camitz transfer and compare these with outcomes of similar procedures in literature. Methods: Between January 2012 and January 2018, all patients with severe carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) with thenar muscle atrophy who underwent the Camitz transfer procedure as day surgery under the WALANT technique at the Thammasat University Hospital were included. With the WALANT technique, the 10 mL of prepared anaesthesia was injected into the area around the palmaris longus tendon from 5-cm proximal to the distal wrist crease to the distal palmar crease, while an additional 10 mL was injected from the radial side of the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb to the distal wrist crease before the operation. Upon completion of the operation, the patients' hand was placed in a thumb spica splint. Patient demographic data, visual analogue scale (VAS) during injection and during procedure, operative time, blood lost and complications were recorded. Results: Thirty-six patients (8 males and 28 females) were included. The average age of the patients was 65.9 (37–87) years old. The average VAS score during the anaesthetic injection was 6.22 (5–8). The average VAS pain score during the operation was 0.52 (0–3). The average operative time was 27.06 (17–47) minutes. The mean intraoperative blood loss was 3 (2.4–6.8) mL. All patients underwent the procedure without any complications. Conclusions: The WALANT technique is safe and can be used as alternative anaesthesia for the Camitz transfer. Level of Evidence: Level IV (Therapeutic) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Flexor tendon injuries represent a significant per-centage of admissions in emergency departments in Egypt. A bloodless surgical field is important to perform a hand surgery. Traditionally, a tourniquet is used for hemostasis, and the standered anesthetic techniques utilized in hand surgery were general anesthesia, intravenous regional anesthesia, or brachial plexus block. Recently the evolving Wide-Awake Local Anesthesia No Tourniquet (WALANT) technique where patient is operated on under local anesthesia and hemostasis is achieved via adrenaline could be a better choice. Aim of this work is to compare the intraoperative pain scores, induction time, operating time, blood loss, postoperative pain scores, and patient satisfaction with WALANT versus supraclavicular brachial plexus block (SC-BPB ) with tourniquet, in patients under-going flexor tendon repair. Patients and Methods: In the current study 52 patients who underwent flexor tendon intervention were divided randomly into two groups, each group consisting of 26 patients. Group A: Patients in this group received WALANT. Group B: Patients in this group received SC-BPB with a tourniquet applied to the arm. Results: Intraoperative Wong-Baker Faces scale revealed no statistically significant difference in intraoperative pain scores in both groups, except during injection (p = 0.04). Tourniquet-related pain was reported in 23% of patients of SC-BPB group (p = 0.001). Induction time was significantly shorter in WALANT (p < 0.01) but time needed to obtain sufficient hemostasis is sig-nificantly more in WALANT than SC-BPB (p < 0.01) while surgical time was similar in both groups (p = 0.538). Blood loss in spite of being minimal it was statistically significant higher in WALANT (p < 0.01). Conclusion: WALANT anesthesia was found to be better alter-native to SC-BPB in flexor tendon repair surgeries in adults being more simple technique and no need for special skills or ultrasound device, less time consumed in induction and less injection pain also no tourniquet-related pain, intraoperative active motion of the hand is preserved facilitating surgical technique, better effect on postoperative analgesia and more patient and surgeon satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wide-awake, local anesthesia, no tourniquet (WALANT) is a technique that removes the requirement for operations to be performed with a tourniquet, general/regional anesthesia, sedation or an anesthetist. We reviewed the WALANT literature with respect to the diverse indications and impact of WALANT to discuss the importance of future surgical curriculum integration. With appropriate patient selection, WALANT may be used effectively in upper and lower limb surgery; it is also a useful option for patients who are unsuitable for general/regional anesthesia. There is a growing body of evidence supporting the use of WALANT in more complex operations in both upper and lower limb surgery. WALANT is a safe, effective, and simple technique associated with equivalent or superior patient pain scores among other numerous clinical and cost benefits. Cost benefits derive fromreduced requirements for theater/anesthetic personnel, space, equipment, time, and inpatient stay. The lack of a requirement for general anesthesia reduces aerosol generating procedures, for example, intubation/high-flowoxygen, hence patients and staff also benefit from the reduced potential for infection transmission. WALANT provides a relatively, but not entirely, bloodless surgical field. Training requirements include the surgical indications, volume calculations, infiltration technique, appropriate perioperative patient/team member communication, and specifics of each operation that need to be considered, for example, checking of active tendon glide versus venting of flexor tendon pulleys. WALANT offers significant clinical, economic, and operative safety advantages when compared with general/regional anesthesia. Key challenges include careful patient selection and the comprehensive training of future surgeons to perform the technique safely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As surgical management of carpal tunnel release (CTR) becomes ever more common, extensive research has emerged to optimize the contextualization of this procedure. In particular, CTR under the wide-awake, local-anesthesia, no-tourniquet (WALANT) technique has emerged as a cost-effective, safe, and straightforward option for the millions who undergo this procedure worldwide. CTR under WALANT is associated with considerable cost savings and workflow efficiencies; it can be safely and effectively executed in an outpatient clinic under field sterility with less use of resources and production of waste, and it has consistently demonstrated standard or better post-operative pain control and satisfaction among patients. In this review of the literature, we describe the current findings on CTR using the WALANT technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this review article is to provide many important tips and tricks for surgeons to start Wide Awake Local Anaesthesia No Tourniquet (WALANT) hand surgery in their practice. The massive cost reduction of this disruptive new approach will enable them to increase access to hand surgery for their patients who cannot afford unnecessary sedation or unnecessary sterility of the expensive main operating room environment. Evidence-based sterility will permit surgeons to move a lot of their surgery out of the main operating room to minor procedure rooms without a significant increase in infection rates. Important pointers on how to inject minimally painful local anaesthesia will have patients thinking the surgeon injector is a bit of a magician. WALANT enables surgeons to improve the outcomes of many hand surgery procedures. Level of Evidence: Level V (Therapeutic) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• TKA and TKA is often associated with postoperative pain affecting recovery and rehabilitation. • Avoiding the use of tourniquet may improve postoperative recovery after total knee arthroplasty. • Bleeding is an important consideration after TKA and THA since there are concerns about the side effects and social costs of transfusions. • The efficient management of pain and bleeding is of paramount importance. • Tumescent and walant anaesthesia have been described to reduce bleeding during surgery. • PVI technique provides a satisfactory bloodless surgical field and comparable postoperative analgesia to LIA in TKA and THA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We conducted a descriptive study of 50 consecutive cases of total trapeziometacarpal joint arthroplasty by one surgeon using wide awake local anaesthetic no tourniquet to assess the usefulness and reliability of the anaesthesia, any adverse effects and patient acceptance. No difference was found when comparing the duration of surgery with 50 cases of total trapeziometacarpal joint arthroplasty inserted in a bloodless field under general or regional anaesthesia by the same surgeon. Wide awake local anaesthetic no tourniquet was found to be useful in providing adequate anaesthesia and haemostasis, and to be reliable and safe with no adverse effects. Patient satisfaction was high with 100% willing to repeat. Overall, wide awake local anaesthetic no tourniquet was a satisfactory method of anaesthesia for trapeziometacarpal joint arthroplasty with the potential for significant benefits to both patient and surgeon compared with traditional general anaesthesia and regional block. Level of evidence: II [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are new and unique challenges to emergency surgery service provision posed by the Coronavirus disease 2019 global pandemic. It is in the best interests of patients for care providers to streamline services where possible to maximise the number of cases that can be performed by limited surgical and anaesthetic teams, as well as minimising patient interactions and admission times to reduce potential spread of the virus. There is evidence that wide awake local anaesthetic no tourniquet (WALANT) hand and upper limb surgery can meet this need in a number of ways, including reduced pre-operative work up, the lack of a need for an anaesthetist or ventilator, shorter inpatient stays and improved cost efficiencies. Though updated national guidelines exist that advocate increased use of WALANT surgery in response to the pandemic there are not yet clear protocols to facilitate this. We outline a protocol being developed at one UK Major Trauma Centre tailored to the expansion of WALANT hand and upper limb emergency surgery with particular emphasis on facilitating timely surgical care while minimising healthcare encounters pre and post-operatively. This will serve to reduce potential transmission of the virus and create cost efficiencies to free funding for COVID-19 related care. Our protocol is easily replicable and may be of benefit to other centres dealing with emergency upper limb surgery in the new climate of COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Flexor tendon injuries most commonly occur following a penetrating injury to the hand or wrist. These are challenging injuries and the standard treatment is surgical repair under general or regional anaesthesia. 'Wide-awake' surgery is an emerging technique in hand surgery where a conscious patient is operated on under local anaesthetic. The vasoconstrictive effect of adrenaline (epinephrine) creates a 'bloodless' operating field and a tourniquet is not required. The potential advantages include intra-operative testing of the repair; removal of the risks of general anaesthesia; reduced costs; no aerosol generation from intubation therefore reduced risk of COVID-19 spread to healthcare professionals. The aim of this study will be to systematically evaluate the evidence to determine if wide-awake surgery is superior to general/regional anaesthetic in adults who undergo flexor tendon repair. Methods: We designed and registered a study protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis of comparative and non-comparative studies. The primary outcome will be functional active range of motion. Secondary outcomes will be complications, resource use (operative time) and patient-reported outcome measures. A comprehensive literature search will be conducted (from 1946 to present) in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library. Grey literature will be identified through Open Grey, dissertation databases and clinical trials registers. All studies on wide-awake surgery for flexor tendon repair will be included. The comparator will be general or regional anaesthesia. No limitations will be imposed on peer review status or language of publication. Two investigators will independently screen all citations, full-text articles and abstract data. Potential conflicts will be resolved through discussion or referral to a third author when necessary. The study methodological quality (or bias) will be appraised using an appropriate tool. If feasible, we will conduct a random effects meta-analysis. Discussion: This systematic review will summarise the best available evidence and definitively establish if function, complications, cost, or patient-reported outcomes are improved when flexor tendons are repaired using wide-awake technique. It will determine if this novel approach is superior to general or regional anaesthesia. This knowledge will help guide hand surgeons by continuing to improve outcomes from flexor tendon injuries. Systematic review registration: PROSPERO CRD42020182196 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To compare outcomes of atraumatic hand surgeries using the WALANT technique versus intravenous regional anesthesia or local anesthesia with tourniquet. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive literature search using PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library from inception to October 2018. All randomized or quasi-randomized trials and cohort studies comparing WALANT procedure versus local anesthesia or intravenous regional anesthesia with tourniquet among atraumatic hand surgeries were included. Methodological quality and risk of bias of eligible studies were assessed by three independent reviewers. The random effects model was used due to both statistical and clinical heterogeneity among studies. Results: The search yielded 496 records, of which 9 studies were included in the systematic review. We were able to pool findings for operative time, post-operative pain scores, patient satisfaction, and complication rates. On the average, the WALANT group had longer operative times by 2.06 minutes (pooled mean difference, random effects, 95% confidence interval 0.46 to 3.67 minutes, p = 0.01, I2 0%, p = 0.66). The post-operative pain scores were lower in the WALANT group by an average of two VAS points (random effects, pooled mean difference −2.40, 95% confidence interval −3.41 to −1.38, p < 0.00001; I2 0% p = 0.99). We had insufficient evidence to demonstrate a difference in terms of patient satisfaction (random effects, pooled risk ratio 0.98, 95% confidence interval 0.93 to 1.03, p = 0.36, I2 0%, p = 0.64) and complication rates (random effects, pooled risk ratio 0.40, 95% confidence interval 0.07 to 2.18, p = 0.29, I2 60% p = 0.08) between WALANT versus conventional methods. Conclusions: The WALANT group reported lower post-operative pain scores, but had slightly longer operative times. There are no significant differences between WALANT and conventional methods in terms of patient satisfaction and complication rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Ankle fractures frequently occur and must be treated with open reduction for long-term stability. The existing anaesthesia methods include general anaesthesia, spinal and epidural anaesthesia, peripheral nerve block and local anaesthesia with IV sedation. However, each method has its inherent risks and potential costs, and the use of a tourniquet is inevitable. Therefore, the wide-awake local anaesthesia no tourniquet (WALANT) technique provides an alternative method for equivalent haemostasis and pain control without the use of a tourniquet.Patients and Methods: We prospectively enrolled 13 consecutive patients (9 males and 4 females) who presented ankle fractures and required ORIF from January 2017 to December 2017. The fracture types of the 13 patients included lateral malleolar fracture (three patients), bimalleolar fracture (two patients), bimalleolar equivalent fracture (three patients), medial malleolar fracture (two patients) and trimalleolar fracture (three patients; articular surface involvement <25%). We used a solution of 1% lidocaine mixed with 1:40,000 epinephrine for WALANT.Results: All patients underwent surgery if they exhibited an initial numerical pain rating scale (NPRS) score of 0 without using a tourniquet. Only two patients required an additional 5 ml of local anaesthesia due to NPRS score elevation during the surgery; no dose exceeded the safe limit of 7 mg/kg. No local complications occurred, and no shifts to other anaesthesia methods were required due to the failure of WALANT.Conclusions: WALANT simplified surgical preparations and provided a safe and reliable method for ankle fracture management. Because the use of a tourniquet was not required, reduced postsurgical pain was observed. Moreover, the use of local anaesthesia resulted in more satisfied patients and facilitated easier recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This prospective case-control study aimed to compare the intraoperative hemodynamic changes between the wide-awake local anesthesia no tourniquet (WALANT) technique and general anesthesia (GA) in patients undergoing distal radius plating surgery. Forty adults with distal radius fractures underwent plating surgery via the WALANT technique (20 patients) or GA (20 patients). Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate were recorded. Intraoperative pain intensity was measured using the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain in the WALANT group. The measures of hemodynamics and VAS were recorded at seven-time points perioperatively. The VAS score decreased significantly compared with the preoperative status in the WALANT group for most of the intraoperative period except during injections of local anesthetics and fracture reduction. The intraoperative MAP in the WALANT group showed no significant change during the perioperative period. In addition, the WALANT group showed fewer perioperative MAP fluctuations than the GA group (p < 0.05). The reduction and plating quality were similar between the two groups. WALANT provided a feasible technique with less fluctuation in hemodynamic status. With gentle manipulation of the fracture reduction, distal radius plating surgery using the WALANT technique is a well-tolerated surgical procedure and shows similar reduction and plating quality to GA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The wide-awake local anesthesia no tourniquet (WALANT) technique is applied during various hand surgeries. We investigated the perioperative variables and clinical outcomes of open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) for distal radius fractures under WALANT. Methods: From January 2015 to January 2017, 60 patients with distal radius fractures were treated, and 24 patients (40% of all) were treated with either a volar or a dorsal plate via WALANT procedure. Of these 24 patients, 21 radius fractures were fixed with a volar plate, and the other 3 were fixed with a dorsal plate. Radiographs; range of motions; visual analog scale (VAS); quick disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand (Quick DASH) questionnaire; and time to union were evaluated. Results: One of the 24 patients could not tolerate the WALANT procedure and was reported as a failed attempt at WALANT. In the cohort, 23 patients successfully received distal radius ORIF under WALANT procedure. The average age is 60.9 (range, 20–88) years. The average operation time was 64.3 (range, 45–85) minutes, the average blood loss was 18.9 (range, 5–30) ml, and the average of duration of hospitalization is 1.8 (range, 1–6) days. The average postoperative day one VAS was 1.6 (range, 1–3). The average time of union was 20.7 (range, 15–32) weeks. The mean follow-up period was 15.1 (range, 12–24) months. Functional 1-year postoperative outcomes revealed an average Quick DASH score of 7.60 (range, 4.5–13.6) and an average wrist flexion and extension of 69.6° (range, 55–80°) and 57.4° (range, 45–70°). There was no wound infection, neurovascular injury, or other major complication noted. Conclusions: WALANT for distal radius fracture ORIF is a method to control blood loss by the effects of local anesthesia mixed with hemostatic agents. Without a tourniquet, the procedure prevents discomfort caused by tourniquet pain. Without sedation, patients could perform the active range of motion of the injured wrist to check if there is impingement of implants. It eliminates the need of numerous preoperative examinations, postoperative anesthesia recovery room care, and side effects of the sedation. However, patients who are not amenable to the awake procedure are contraindications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]