Our Summary
The research paper is about a study that looked at the effects of “wide awake hand surgery”. This is a type of surgery where the patient is awake and only has local anesthesia (numbing medication) with adrenaline, and no sedation or a device to stop blood flow (a tourniquet) is used. This method of surgery is becoming more common in some countries.
The researchers asked 122 patients who had this type of surgery to rate their experience on a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 being the best and 10 being the worst. They also compared the time it took for these surgeries to the time it took for surgeries done with regional or general anesthesia.
The results showed that most patients rated their overall experience as very good. They felt very little pain during the surgery, but they did feel some discomfort when the numbing medication was injected. A few patients said they would prefer general anesthesia if they had to have surgery again.
The surgeons also rated their experience. They found that there was a small amount of bleeding during the surgery and a small amount of swelling. But they also found many advantages to this method of surgery, especially for tendon suture procedures. However, they did have to give some patients more anesthesia during the surgery.
The researchers found that these surgeries took less time overall compared to surgeries with regional or general anesthesia. However, the actual surgery time was longer.
The researchers concluded that most patients found wide awake surgery acceptable. It has some advantages over other types of anesthesia, but it may not make the surgery process more efficient overall.
FAQs
- What is “wide awake hand surgery” and how is it different from traditional hand surgeries?
- How did the patients and surgeons rate their experiences with wide awake hand surgery?
- What advantages does wide awake hand surgery have over surgeries conducted with regional or general anesthesia?
Doctor’s Tip
One helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about hand surgery is to ask about the option of “wide awake hand surgery” and discuss the potential benefits and drawbacks with their surgeon. It is important for patients to be informed and comfortable with the type of anesthesia used during their surgery. Additionally, patients should follow any pre and post-operative instructions given by their surgeon to ensure a successful recovery.
Suitable For
Patients who are typically recommended for hand surgery include those with conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis, tendon injuries, nerve injuries, fractures, trigger finger, and other hand and wrist conditions that require surgical intervention. These patients may have tried conservative treatments that have not been effective, or their condition may be severe enough to require surgical correction. Additionally, patients who are not able to undergo general anesthesia or who prefer to be awake during the surgery may also be good candidates for wide awake hand surgery.
Timeline
Before hand surgery, a patient may experience pain, discomfort, and limited mobility in their hand. They may also have a consultation with their surgeon to discuss the procedure and any potential risks or complications.
During the surgery, the patient will be awake and only have local anesthesia with adrenaline. They may feel some discomfort during the injection of the numbing medication, but overall should feel very little pain during the surgery. The surgery may take longer than traditional methods, but there is less bleeding and swelling.
After the surgery, the patient may have some discomfort as the anesthesia wears off, but they should experience less pain compared to traditional methods. They may also have some restrictions on their hand movements as they recover. Overall, most patients rated their experience with wide awake hand surgery as very good.
What to Ask Your Doctor
- What are the potential risks and benefits of having wide awake hand surgery compared to traditional surgery with general anesthesia?
- How much discomfort can I expect during the surgery with only local anesthesia?
- Will I be able to communicate with the surgeon during the surgery if I have any concerns or questions?
- How long does the typical wide awake hand surgery procedure take compared to traditional surgery methods?
- What is the recovery process like after wide awake hand surgery, and how does it differ from traditional surgery?
- Are there any specific conditions or factors that would make me a better candidate for wide awake hand surgery?
- How does the use of adrenaline in the local anesthesia affect the overall surgical experience and recovery?
- Will I need any additional pain management or sedation during the surgery if I choose wide awake hand surgery?
- Are there any long-term effects or considerations I should be aware of if I choose wide awake hand surgery over traditional methods?
- How experienced is the surgical team in performing wide awake hand surgeries, and what is their success rate with this method?
Reference
Authors: Lied L, Borchgrevink GE, Finsen V. Journal: J Hand Surg Asian Pac Vol. 2017 Sep;22(3):292-296. doi: 10.1142/S0218810417500320. PMID: 28774238