WALANT Surgery | Hand Surgery | Academy Orthopedics
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Walant

What is WALANT surgery?

Wide awake hand surgery is a growing technique used for many types of hand surgery.  It involves use of a numbing agent (lidocaine/novocaine) to numb the area for surgery.  The technique also uses a medicine called epinephrine (adrenalin) which allows for less bleeding.  Epinephrine allows the surgeon to perform the surgery without the use of a tourniquet.   

What are some advantages of WALANT surgery?

  • Easily Communicate: By staying awake, patients can ask questions and communicate with the surgeon easier during and after the procedure
  • Save Time: Patients save time both pre- and post-operatively. They may drive, arrive later for, and leave earlier from their surgeries
  • Fewer Restrictions: Patients may eat and drink before surgery and have no fasting restrictions.  There is also no need to discontinue or modify any daily home medications.
  • Quicker Return to Work: Since no sedation or general anesthesia is used, patients in certain fields can return to work the same day.
  • Fewer Side Effects: Commonly experienced side effects to general anesthesia and sedation medicines are avoided with the patient awake.
  • Better Patient Safety: Avoiding the use of general anesthesia and sedation medicines improves patient safety.

What are some common types of hand surgery done wide awake?

  • Carpal Tunnel Release
  • Trigger finger
  • Ganglion cyst excision
  • Tendon repair
  • Tendon Transfer
  • Mass removal
  • Nail repair
  • DeQuervain’s Release
  • Some hand fractures
  • Foreign body removal
  • Infection surgery
  • Ligament Repair