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Office-based surgery (OBS) with wide-awake local anesthesia no tourniquet (WALANT) surgery is a safe and cost-effective care model that is convenient for patient and provider alike. Currently, the practice is growing, but in the majority of North America the ambulatory-care center is still the most common setting for hand surgery. This article discusses the practical issues of implementing OBS with WALANT including clinical setup and workflows for OBS, negotiating payor contracts, and managing liability., (Copyright © 2020 American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Aims: We hypothesized that the wide-awake local anaesthesia with no tourniquet (WALANT) technique is cost-effective, easy to use, safe, and reproducible, with a low learning curve towards mastery, having a high patient satisfaction rate. Furthermore, WALANT would be a suitable alternative for the austere and developing nation environments where lack of funds and resources are a common issue., Methods: This was a randomized control trial of 169 patients who required surgery for closed isolated distal radius fractures. The study was performed between March 2016 and April 2019 at a public sector level 1 trauma centre. General anaesthesia was used in 56 patients, Bier's block in 58 patients, and WALANT in 55 patients. Data were collected on pre-, peri-, and postoperative parameters, clinical outcome, hospital costs, and patient satisfaction. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used with a p-value of 0.05 being significant., Results: Operations with WALANT proceeded sooner, and patients recovered faster, resulting in mean fewer missed working days (7.8 (SD 1.67)) compared with general anaesthesia (20.1 (SD 7.37)) or Bier's block (14.1 (SD 7.65)) (p < 0.001). The WALANT patients did not develop complications, while the other patients did (p < 0.04). Clinical outcomes did not differ, nor did surgeon qualification affect clinical outcomes. Mean hospital costs were lower for WALANT ($428.50 (SD 77.71)) than for general anaesthesia ($630.63 (SD 114.77)) or Bier's block ($734.00 (SD 37.54)) (p < 0.001). Patient satisfaction was also higher (p < 0.001)., Conclusion: WALANT for distal radius fractures results in a faster recovery, is more cost-effective, has similar clinical outcomes, and has fewer complications than general anaesthesia or Bier's block. This makes WALANT an attractive technique in any setting, but especially in middle- and low-income countries.Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2020;9(7):429-439., (© 2020 Author(s) et al.)

Local infiltration anaesthesia with a bloodless operation field (WALANT) allows for performing hand surgery without a tourniquet. This effect is obtained through an injection of greater than standard volume of the anaesthetic solution composed of lignocaine and adrenaline. The addition of adrenaline induces spasm of small arteries within the infiltration area, which inhibits bleeding and allows visualization of most of the subtle but important structures in the hand and fingers. This article presents a method of preparation of the anaesthetic solution and the technique of anaesthesia for several common procedures in hand surgery. In 2019, our centre performed 340 operations under WALANT anaesthesia, with no serious complications observed. Data from the literature are presented showing that this technique is attracting increasing popularity worldwide. Our centre was the first in Poland to introduce the WALANT method to hand surgery.

Purpose: To define self-reported WALANT use among American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH) members. We aimed to define surgeon and practice demographics relative to WALANT use and identify potential barriers for WALANT implementation., Methods: An anonymous multiple-choice survey was electronically distributed to all active ASSH members. Incomplete surveys were included in the final analysis. Surgeons were asked to provide reasons for not performing WALANT, which were categorized based on general themes. We compared practice and surgeon demographic information relative to WALANT use., Results: Of 3,826 ASSH members, 869 responded (23%). A total of 79% of respondents had performed at least one WALANT procedure; 62% currently incorporated WALANT into their practice. Hospital-owned outpatient surgery centers were the most common location for WALANT procedures (31%). Canadian surgeons were more likely to use WALANT, compared with US and international surgeons. Surgeons with fewer years in practice and higher-volume surgeons were more likely to use WALANT. There was no statistically significant association between either practice or income structure and WALANT use. For carpal tunnel release (CTR), 13% did not offer patients WALANT, whereas 43% offered WALANT to all patients. Moreover, 51% of surgeons reported that anesthesia staff was required to be present for WALANT cases at their institution. In determining reasons for not using WALANT, 16% reported that they preferred a tourniquet for visualization. Only 2% had concerns regarding epinephrine use in the hand., Conclusions: The results of this survey illustrate current WALANT use among ASSH members and defines the demographics of those employing WALANT. Lack of familiarity with WALANT and an acceptance of the use of epinephrine in the hand has increased from prior ASSH surveys. Lack of familiarity with the technique, concerns regarding operating room efficiency, and patient preferences remain considerable barriers to more widespread adoption of WALANT procedures., Type of Study/level of Evidence: Economic and Decision Analysis V., (© 2020 The Authors.)

We sought to report on the use of wide-awake local anesthesia and no tourniquet (WALANT) for internal fixation of metacarpal fractures. We retrospectively examined 10 patients with metacarpal fractures that required either closed reduction and internal fixation (CRIF) or open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). WALANT was administered 20minutes before the surgery outside the operating room. Once the area was numb, an open or closed reduction was made followed by internal fixation of the fracture using plating, intramedullary screws or Kirshner wires (K-wires). We used intraoperative X-ray to confirm anatomic reduction and correct internal fixation. After proper reduction and fixation, the active range of motion (AROM) was assessed while the patient was awake. Patients were discharged the next day after evaluating their neurovascular status and establishing pain control. Follow-up evaluations were carried out at 2, 6 and 12 weeks postoperatively. All individuals underwent uneventful operations. No significant pain or bleeding was recorded during the operation. Nine out of ten patients regained full AROM at the 12-week follow-up visit in the outpatient clinic. One patient still had slight reduction of range of motion (ROM) of the 5th metacarpophalangeal joint. No neurovascular damage or surgical site morbidity was recorded. CRIF and ORIF of simple metacarpal fractures can be executed successfully using WALANT with good functional results without increased morbidity compared to monitored anesthesia care., (Copyright © 2020 SFCM. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Wide Awake Local Anaesthetic No Tourniquet (WALANT) technique has been developed to eliminate tourniquet pain during upper limb and hand surgery whilst also improving utilisation of operating theatre time and inpatient stay, however inconclusive data still limits the techniques uptake. Here presents a protocol for a systematic review to collate findings to produce conclusive data on efficacy of WALANT., Methods: This systematic review will be registered a priori. All study designs defined by the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine will be included in the search. "WALANT" in "upper limb" and "hand" surgery will be investigated as per the devised search strategy. 18 electronic databases will be searched, including PubMed, Medline and Embase in addition to a Grey literature search. Two independent teams of 3 researchers will screen all relevant titles, abstracts and subsequent full texts for suitability. Data will be extrapolated and entered into a preformatted database for analysis., Ethics and Dissemination: This systematic review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at both national and international conferences within the field of plastic and orthopaedic surgery. This review aims to inform surgical practice and policy., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2020 The Authors.)

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, I 2 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; I 2 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, I 2 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, I 2 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.

Objectives: To evaluate benefits for the patient and the economic impact for the implementation of a wide awake local anesthesia no tourniquet (WALANT) hand surgery compared to traditional major outpatient circuit., Methods: A prospective cohort study was planned comparing 150 cases of ambulatory hand surgery (carpal tunnel and trigger finger) using WALANT technique intervention out from the operating room; with another 150 which underwent intervention, outpatient setting, with preoperative evaluation, sedation and tourniquet, in the operation room. Preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative pain was monitored, as well as the days that required postoperative analgesia.The resources used and costs were evaluated. Satisfaction was evaluated using a specific survey., Results: The pain during the surgery was equivalent for both groups and was significantly lower postoperatively for the WALANT group, with less need for the use of analgesics. Satisfaction was greater for the local anesthesia group. The use of personnel resources and hospital material was less for the WALANT group, with total saving calculated by 1,019€ per patient., Conclusions: Procedures such as carpal tunnel surgery and trigger finger surgery can be safely performed using wide awake surgery. Patient satisfaction is higher to conventional procedure in the operation room. Pain control is excellent, especially during the postoperative period. WALANT technique for hand surgery represents a benefit for the patient in comfort, timeliness and no need for preoperative tests or evaluation. In addition, it represents a significant savings in hospital resources., (Copyright © 2019 SECOT. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Hand surgery does not have to be expensive. Substituting evidence-based field sterility for main operating room sterility and using wide-awake, local anesthesia, no tourniquet (WALANT) surgery instead of sedation makes hand surgery much more affordable worldwide. This article explains how North Americans collaborated with Ghanaian hand surgeons and therapists to establish more affordable hand care in Kumasi. It describes how multiple nonprofit organizations collaborate to create trans-Atlantic Webinars and a reverse fellowship program to share hand surgery and therapy knowledge between North American and Ghanaian hand care providers., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: We sought to investigate the perioperative opioid prescription patterns, complication rates, and costs associated with wide-awake local anesthesia (WALA) techniques using a nationwide insurance claims-based database., Methods: We used the PearlDiver Humana administrative claims database to identify opioid-naive adult patients who underwent a carpal tunnel release, trigger finger release, or de Quervain release between 2007 and 2015. Patients were divided into WALA and standard anesthesia groups by the presence or absence of anesthesia Current Procedural Terminology codes. We evaluated for differences in perioperative opioid prescribing patterns, rates of opioid refills, and insurance reimbursement. The incidence of surgical complications and medical complications within 30 days of surgery were determined by International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes. Adjusted odds ratios were calculated with multivariable logistic regression models to identify factors associated with filling or refilling opioid prescriptions and complication rates., Results: There were 6,285 patients in the WALA group and 28,657 in the standard anesthesia group. The WALA patients were prescribed significantly lower quantities of opioids than were standard anesthesia patients across all 3 procedures. After controlling for type of surgery, gender, and comorbidities in a multivariate model, WALA patients were less likely to fill an initial opioid prescription during the perioperative period but were equally likely to obtain a refill. The WALA patients had lower odds of developing both surgical and medical complications compared with standard anesthesia patients. Moreover, WALA was associated with significantly lower costs for all procedures., Conclusions: Wide-awake local anesthesia technique is an increasingly common and viable option for minor hand surgery. It is a cost-effective and safe technique for simple hand surgical procedures and can be a strategy to minimize postoperative opioid use., Type of Study/level of Evidence: Prognostic II., (© 2019 The Authors.)

Fractures of the distal radius are one of the most common types of injuries encountered in hand surgery. Plate osteosynthesis is recommended for unstable fractures. Because distal radius fracture fixation is usually performed under general or regional anesthesia with the use of a tourniquet, this exposes patients, especially elderly people with extensive comorbidities, to adverse effects commonly associated with these forms of anesthesia. As such, many of these patients are unable to undergo surgery in a timely manner until they are deemed medically fit for surgery or anesthesia, and some may still be treated nonsurgically. Injecting local anesthetic of lidocaine and epinephrine into the surgical field and without using a tourniquet is known to be advantageous for various surgical procedures of the hand. However, this approach, also known as wide-awake local anesthesia no tourniquet (WALANT), has not been used in the fixation of fractures beyond the wrist. Using the WALANT approach as an alternative anesthetic for plating of distal radius fractures may enable patients who are normally denied surgery owing to their age or medical comorbidities to undergo plate fixation for the fractures. This article outlines the WALANT approach used for a single case of fixation of distal end radius fracture with a detailed description of the technique of administering local anesthesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose Carpal tunnel release (CTR) is a common surgical procedure, representing a financial burden to the health care system. The purpose of this study was to test whether the choice of CTR technique (open carpal tunnel release [OCTR] vs endoscopic carpal tunnel release [ECTR]), surgical setting (operating room vs procedure room [PR]), and anesthetic type (local, monitored anesthesia care [MAC], Bier block, general) affected costs or payments. Methods Consecutive adult patients undergoing isolated unilateral CTR between July 2014, and October 2017, at a single academic medical center were identified. Patients undergoing ECTR converted to OCTR, revision surgery, or additional procedures were excluded. Using our institution's information technology value tools, we calculated total direct costs (TDCs), total combined payment (TCP), hospital payment, surgeon payment, and anesthesia payment for each surgical encounter. Cost data were normalized using each participant's surgical encounter cost divided by the average cost in the data set and compared across 8 groups (defined by surgery type, operation location, and anesthesia type). Results Of 479 included patients, the mean age was 55.3 ± 16.1 years, and 68% were female. Payer mix included commercial (45%), Medicare (37%), Medicaid (13%), workers' compensation (2%), self-pay (1%), and other (3%) insurance types. The TDC and TCP both differed significantly between each CTR group, and OCTR in the PR under local anesthesia was the lowest. The OCTR/local/operating room, OCTR/MAC/operating room, and ECTR/operating room, were associated with 6.3-fold, 11.0-fold, and 12.4-16.6-fold greater TDC than OCTR/local/PR, respectively. Conclusions Performing OCTR under local anesthetic in the PR setting significantly minimizes direct surgical encounter costs relative to other surgical methods (ECTR), anesthetic methods (Bier block, MAC, general), and surgical settings (operating room). Clinical relevance This study identifies modifiable factors that may lead to cost reductions for CTR surgery. [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., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The implementation of the wide-awake local anesthetic no tourniquet (WALANT) approach to surgical procedures in Cyprus has led to significant cost savings. In the United Kingdom, the implementation of WALANT has led to shorter waiting times for hand surgical procedures, cost savings for the National Health Service, and high patient satisfaction rates. In both countries, patient education is a prerequisite for WALANT surgery. It increases the satisfaction rate among patients and enhances the patient-surgeon relationship. Patients need to know they can participate actively in a procedure, because a patient moving the hand during a procedure can improve the outcome., (Crown Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Injection of tumescent local anesthesia should no longer be painful. WALANT anesthesia, strong sutures, a slightly bulky repair, intraoperative testing of active movement, and judicious venting of the A2 and A4 pulleys improve results in flexor tendon repair. WALANT K wire finger fracture reduction permits intraoperative testing of K wire stability with active movement to facilitate early protected movement at 3 to 5 days after surgery. WALANT can decrease costs and garbage production while increasing accessibility and affordability. Several surgeons have found no infection difference when the K wires are inserted with full operating room sterility versus field sterility., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

This article summarizes the application of local anesthesia no tourniquet in 2 hand surgery centers in China, Nantong and Tianjin, where more than 12,000 patients were operated on with the new approach. This approach achieves excellent anesthetic and vasoconstrictive effects. In Nantong, surgeons performed fracture fixation, soft tissue tumor excision, and flap transfer in the hand with this approach. In Tianjin, surgeons applied it to cases of hand trauma emergency surgery. The authors' experience shows that this approach to hand surgery is safe, economical, and patient friendly, with no increase in infection rate., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The minimally invasive nature of wrist and small joint arthroscopy renders it particularly suitable for the application of the wide-awake local anesthesia no tourniquet (WALANT) technique. The application of WALANT wrist and small joint arthroscopy has given surgeons the ability to visualize both static and dynamic movements of a joint, to show the pathology and discuss with the patient, and to visualize a patient's repaired structures. This reinforces confidence in surgeons and encourages patients to comply with postoperative rehabilitation., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Wide-awake hand surgery is versatile and can be performed in a variety of settings for various pathologies. The benefits associated with wide-awake local anesthesia no tourniquet hand surgery can be extremely beneficial in the military health care system. Military medicine focuses on supporting soldiers in areas of combat, providing humanitarian care to local nationals, and to delivering health care to active duty soldiers and veterans in the domestic setting. The ability to perform hand surgery without general or sedating anesthesia conserves limited anesthetic resources and allows patients to maintain situational awareness perioperatively., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Wide-awake local anesthesia no tourniquet (WALANT) is a promising development for surgeons and patients through improved operation outcomes in hand and wrist surgery. The authors have mostly used WALANT for flexor and extensor tendon repair, tenolysis, and tendon transfer. Its application at W Hospital in korea has bolstered surgeon confidence in tendon repair integrity, gliding ability, and transfer tension via direct observation and patient feedback. The authors do not use WALANT in complicated tenolysis or in secondary surgeries in previous severe injury situations. The procedure has proven similarly unsuitable in incomplete or complete digit replantation., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Dr Akbar Khan began using the wide awake local anesthesia no tourniquet (WALANT) technique for leprosy tendon transfers in the summer of 2015 at the Damien Foundation Hospital in Nellore, India. This article summarizes his first 18 months of experience and describes 5 of his operations. He found that WALANT provides effective anesthesia with good visibility for leprosy tendon transfers. WALANT permits economically disadvantaged leprosy patients to afford the surgery. All of the leprosy patients who have undergone WALANT tendon transfers in this series would like the same technique for their next tendon transfers., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Clinic-based hand surgery performed under local anesthetic has been steadily increasingly performed in Canada for 50 years. The drive for its development stems from the Canadian health care system's finite funding structure and resources. Benefits have extended far beyond cost and garbage reduction. It has resulted in greatly improving patient care by increasing comfort and safety with the elimination of sedation, the tourniquet, night surgery, and by improving access to care. This article details the rationale and development of clinic-based hand surgery from a Canadian perspective and provides tips and strategies for other centers looking to implement a similar clinic., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The authors' experience demonstrates that wide-awake flap surgery in the hand is safe. The authors used this approach in 4 commonly used flaps in the hand in 27 patients: the extended Segmuller flap, the homo-digital reverse digital artery flap, the dorsal metacarpal artery perforator flap, and the Atasoy advancement flap. Wide-awake flap surgery works very well and safely achieved excellent anesthetic and vasoconstrictive effects in the authors' cases. The authors found that vasoconstriction caused by epinephrine mainly affects the capillaries and does not affect digital arteries and their major branches in the hand., (Copyright © 2018 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: Carpal tunnel surgery is one of the most common procedures completed on the upper limb in the United States. There is currently no evidence-based high-value clinical care pathway to inform the management of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). We created an evidence-based care pathway and implemented a quality improvement initiative to evaluate its effect on patient time, quality, and cost in a tertiary care ambulatory surgery center., Methods: We developed a high-value clinical care pathway for CTS and implemented the intraoperative phase of the pathway. This included (1) implementing an evidence-based protocol for wide-awake local anesthesia, (2) removing non-value-added processes of care, and (3) implementing educational sessions with surgery staff regarding the initiative. We prospectively collected data on patient time, visual analog scale pain scores (quality), and percent change in total direct costs of the intraoperative phase of care (cost)., Results: A total of 50 patients were included in this implementation study: 30 prior to implementation of the intervention and 20 after. There was a significant decrease in average patient wheels in to surgery time, postanesthesia care unit to discharge time, and total patient time (lead time). There was no difference in preoperative or postoperative pain before and after the intervention. There was a 31% reduction in total direct costs., Conclusions: Implementing the intraoperative phase of this clinical care pathway with wide-awake surgery can reduce patient lead time, maintain quality, and reduce total direct costs in an ambulatory surgery center., Clinical Relevance: Quality improvement interventions, such as the implementation of an evidence-based clinical care pathway for the treatment for CTS, may improve value to health systems., (Copyright © 2019 American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose Wide-awake, local anesthesia, no tourniquet (WALANT) hand surgery was developed to improve access to hand surgery care while optimizing medical resources. Hand surgery in the clinic setting may result in substantial cost savings for the United States Military Health Care System (MHS) and provide a safe alternative to performing similar procedures in the operating room. Methods A prospective cohort study was performed on the first 100 consecutive clinic-based WALANT hand surgery procedures performed at a military medical center from January 2014 to September 2015 by a single hand surgeon. Cost savings analysis was performed by using the Medical Expense and Performance Reporting System, the standard cost accounting system for the MHS, to compare procedures performed in the clinic versus the operating room during the study period. A study specific questionnaire was obtained for 66 procedures to evaluate the patient’s experience. Results For carpal tunnel release (n = 34) and A1 pulley release (n = 33), there were 85% and 70% cost savings by having the procedures performed in clinic under WALANT compared with the main operating room, respectively. During the study period, carpal tunnel release, A1 pulley release, and de Quervain release performed in the clinic instead of the operating room amounted to $393,100 in cost savings for the MHS. There were no adverse events during the WALANT procedure. Conclusions A clinic-based WALANT hand surgery program at a military medical center results in considerable cost savings for the MHS. Type of study/level of evidence Economic/Decision Analysis IV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Wide-awake local anesthesia and no tourniquet (WALANT) has become more popular in hand surgery. Without a tourniquet, there is no need for preoperative testing or sedation. The use of lidocaine with epinephrine has allowed a larger variety of cases to be done safely in an outpatient setting instead of the hospital. "Minor field sterility," which uses fewer drapes and tools to accomplish the same procedures, is a concept that is also gaining recognition., Methods: Investigation of hand surgeons performing a majority of cases using WALANT and minor field sterility was the beginning of seeing its potential at our institution. Administration was concerned about patient safety, cost-effectiveness, and patient satisfaction of the proposed changes. Analysis of our institution to determine location of these procedures was also imperative to using WALANT., Results: An in-office procedure room was built to allow for WALANT and minor field sterility. The requirements and logistics of developing an in-office procedure room for wide-awake surgery are reviewed in this article., Conclusions: The concurrent use of WALANT and minor field sterility has created a hand surgery practice that is cost-effective for the patient and the facility and resulted in excellent patient outcomes and satisfaction.

This article reviews historical background, essential practice principles, and the new emerging area of wide awake hand surgery. It outlines the reasons that wide awake, local anaesthesia, no tourniquet surgery has emerged so quickly in the last 10 years over the world. I explain the origin of the concepts and some of the challenges of getting the technique accepted; in particular, the debunking of the myth of epinephrine danger in the finger. I review the most recent developments in several operations in this rapidly changing field of the tourniquet-free approach. Finally, this review includes speculations on the future of this technique.

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.

The central slip tenotomy described by Fowler is an effective option for treating chronic mallet finger in order to avoid swan neck deformity of the finger. In a prospective study of 14 cases (13 failures of conservative treatment and one case of untreated mallet finger), we performed percutaneous ultrasound-guided central slip tenotomy with a 19 G needle using the wide-awake local anesthesia and no tourniquet (WALANT) technique. The mean extensor lag before surgery was 28° (range 20°-40°) and three patients had a swan neck deformity. The anesthesia and tenotomy were guided with a 15MHz high frequency probe. Patient were asked to grade their pain between 0 (no pain) and 10 (extreme pain) with a Visual Analog Scale (VAS), to flex and extend their finger immediately after the tenotomy and to be reviewed at 1month's follow-up. The mean pain score on VAS during the procedure was 1/10 (range 0-3). After several movements of the finger after the procedure, two patients immediately regained full extension of the distal interphalangeal joint. At 1month follow-up, the correction was complete for 10 patients, three patients had a residual deformity of 10° and one had a poor result with a 30° deformity. Two patients had a persistent painless synovitis of the proximal interphalangeal joint. Thirteen patients were fully satisfied and one was a disappointed, but did not want another treatment. There are no published reports of percutaneous central slip tenotomy. In this preliminary report, central slip tenotomy for chronic mallet finger with ultrasonography was painless, effective and safe under WALANT technique. Larger clinical studies are needed to confirm the outcomes of this study., (Copyright © 2017 SFCM. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Tumescent minimally invasive local anesthesia is eliminating the need for sedation and proximal nerve blocks as well as all of their risks, costs, and inconveniences. It has facilitated advances in procedures such as hand fracture reduction, tendon repair, and tendon transfer by allowing the surgeon to see cooperative patient active movement during the surgery. It has improved the patient experience for simple hand operations such as carpal tunnel release., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)