Carpal Tunnel Decompression Under Wide Awake Local Anaesthesia No Tourniquet Technique (WALANT): A Cost Effective and Outcome Analysis

Abstract

Introduction Wide-awake local anaesthesia with no tourniquet (WALANT) technique is cost-effective, resource-friendly, and safe. This can be used as an alternative to hand surgery procedures in outpatient units. It can be performed in clinics or operating rooms. Methods We retrospectively evaluated the outcomes of WALANT for carpal tunnel decompression (CTD) over two years. Measured results include wound infections, relief of symptoms, paraesthesia, haematoma, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), hospital anxiety and depression scale score (HADS) and cost-effectiveness. Results Eighteen patients underwent CTD under the WALANT technique over two years. VAS score was recorded at 3.1 ± 1.2 during the procedure and 1.67 ± 0.933 at two weeks follow-up. Persistent paraesthesia was found in only one patient at follow-up. Minimal bleeding was recorded during the procedure. No wound infections, revision surgery or post-operative haematoma formation were found. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was reported as 4.77 ± 2.1 after surgery. WALANT was also cost-effective, with an overall amount of £20. Conclusion Performing carpal tunnel decompression under WALANT in one stop upper limb clinic is a safe and cost-effective technique with no significant patient-related complications.