Tourniquet Use in Wide-Awake Carpal Tunnel Release

Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common cause of upper extremity discomfort. Surgical release of the median nerve can be performed under general or local anesthetic, with or without a tourniquet. Wide-awake carpal tunnel release (CTR) (local anesthesia, no sedation) is gaining popularity. Tourniquet discomfort is a reported downside. This study reviews outcomes in wide-awake CTR and compares tourniquet versus no tourniquet use. Methods: Wide-awake, open CTRs performed from February 2013 to April 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided into 2 cohorts: with and without tourniquet. Demographics, comorbidities, tobacco use, operative time, estimated blood loss, complications and outcomes were compared. Results: A total of 304 CTRs were performed on 246 patients. The majority of patients were male (88.5%), and the mean age was 59.9 years. One hundred patients (32.9%) were diabetic, and 92 patients (30.2%) were taking antithrombotics. Seventy-five patients (24.7%) were smokers. A forearm tourniquet was used for 90 CTRs (29.6%). Mean operative time was 24.97 minutes with a tourniquet and 21.69 minutes without. Estimated blood loss was 3.16 mL with a tourniquet and 4.25 mL without. All other analyzed outcomes were not statistically significant. Conclusion: Operative time was statistically longer and estimated blood loss was statistically less with tourniquet use, but these findings are not clinically significant. This suggests that local anesthetic with epinephrine is a safe and effective alternative to tourniquet use in CTR. The overall rate of complications was low, and there were no major differences in postoperative outcomes between groups.

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Open Carpal Tunnel Release Outcomes: Performed Wide Awake versus with Sedation

Journal of Hand and Microsurgery ◽

10.1055/s-0037-1603200 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 09 (02) ◽

pp. 074-079 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Nayoung Kim ◽

Jack Abboudi ◽

Christopher Jones ◽

Frederic Liss ◽

William Kirkpatrick ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Local Anesthesia ◽

Carpal Tunnel ◽

Carpal Tunnel Release ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Syndrome Scale ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Tunnel Syndrome ◽

Without Tourniquet ◽

Open Carpal Tunnel Release ◽

Wide Awake

Background Carpal tunnel release (CTR) is the most common surgery of the hand, and interest is growing in performing it under local anesthesia without tourniquet. To better understand differences, we hypothesized that patients undergoing CTR under wide-awake local anesthesia with no tourniquet (WALANT) versus sedation (monitored anesthesia care [MAC]) would not result in a difference in outcome. Methods Consecutive cases of electrodiagnostically confirmed open CTR across multiple surgeons at a single center were prospectively enrolled. Data included demographic data, visual analog scale, Levine-Katz carpal tunnel syndrome scale, QuickDASH questionnaire, customized Likert questionnaire, and complications. Results There were 81 patients enrolled in the WALANT group and 149 patients in the MAC group. There were no reoperations in either group or any epinephrine-related complications in the WALANT group. Disability and symptom scores did not differ significantly between WALANT and sedation groups at 2 weeks or 3 months. Average postoperative QuickDASH, Levine-Katz, and VAS pain scales were the same in both groups. Both groups of patients reported high levels of satisfaction at 91 versus 96% for the WALANT versus MAC groups, respectively (p > 0.05). Patients in each group were likely to request similar anesthesia if they were to undergo surgery again. Conclusion Patients undergoing open CTR experienced similar levels of satisfaction and outcomes with either the WALANT or MAC techniques. There was no statistically significant difference between either group relative to the tested outcome measures. These data should facilitate surgeons and patients' choosing freely between WALANT and MAC techniques relative to complications and outcomes.

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Comparison of Local-Only Anesthesia Versus Sedation in Patients Undergoing Staged Bilateral Carpal Tunnel Release: A Randomized Trial

Hand ◽

10.1177/1558944719836237 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 15 (6) ◽

pp. 785-792 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Garrhett G. Via ◽

Andrew R. Esterle ◽

Hisham M. Awan ◽

Sonu A. Jain ◽

Kanu S. Goyal

Keyword(s):

Carpal Tunnel ◽

Carpal Tunnel Release ◽

Common Disease ◽

Hand Laterality ◽

Included Patient ◽

High Satisfaction ◽

Tunnel Syndrome ◽

Second Procedure ◽

Wide Awake

Purpose: Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common disease treated operatively. During the operation, the patient may be wide-awake or sedated. The current literature has only compared separate cohorts. We sought to compare patient experience with both local-only anesthesia and sedation. Methods: Staged bilateral carpal tunnel release utilizing open or endoscopic technique was scheduled and followed through to completion of per-protocol analysis in 31 patients. Patients chose initial hand laterality and were randomized regarding initial anesthesia method: local-only or sedation. Data collection via questionnaires began at consent and continued to 6 weeks postoperatively from second procedure. Primary outcome measures included patient satisfaction and patient anesthesia preference. Results: At final follow-up, 6 weeks postoperatively, high satisfaction (30 of 31 patients per method) was reported with both types of anesthesia. Among these patients, 17 (54%) preferred local-only anesthesia, 10 (34%) preferred sedation, 2 had no preference, and 2 opted out of response. Although anesthesia fees were approximately $390 lower with local-only anesthesia, total costs for carpal tunnel release were not significantly different with respect to the anesthesia cohorts. Total time in surgical facility was approximately 26 minutes quicker with local-only anesthesia, largely due to shorter time in the post-anesthesia care unit. Scaled comparison of worst postoperative pain following the 2 procedures revealed no difference between local-only anesthesia and sedation. Conclusions: Patients reported equal satisfaction scores with carpal tunnel release whether performed under local-only anesthesia or with sedation. In addition, local-only anesthesia was indicated as the preference of patients in 59% of cases.

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Patient-reported outcomes of carpal tunnel release surgery in patients with bilateral severe carpal tunnel syndrome

Journal of Hand Surgery (European Volume) ◽

10.1177/1753193417721456 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 42 (9) ◽

pp. 932-936 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

C. Q. Y. Tang ◽

S. W. H. Lai ◽

S. C. Tay

Keyword(s):

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ◽

Carpal Tunnel ◽

Complete Resolution ◽

Patient Reported Outcomes ◽

Operative Time ◽

Carpal Tunnel Release ◽

Level Of Evidence ◽

Patient Reported ◽

Tunnel Syndrome ◽

Carpal Tunnel Release Surgery

This retrospective study examined whether the presenting complaint of numbness is relieved post-operatively in severe carpal tunnel syndrome and also assessed any correlation between outcomes of the first and second procedures in staged bilateral carpal tunnel releases. Carpal tunnel release (60 open and 38 endoscopic) was done in 49 patients with bilateral severe carpal tunnel syndrome. There was complete resolution of numbness post-operatively in 77% ( n = 75) of hands. The median post-operative time before complete resolution of numbness was 21 days (IQR 8 to 21; range 3 to 482). The likelihood of complete resolution of symptoms after the second carpal tunnel release in patients with complete resolution of symptoms after the first carpal tunnel release was 22 (95% CI: 4 to 131) times that of the likelihood of improvement in patients with incomplete resolution of symptoms after the first carpal tunnel release. Level of evidence: IV

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Wide Awake Open Carpal Tunnel Release: The Effect of Local Anesthetics in the Postoperative Outcome

Journal of Hand and Microsurgery ◽

10.1055/s-0040-1709087 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Nikolaos Karamanis ◽

Georgia Stamatiou ◽

Dionysia Vasdeki ◽

Nikolaos Sakellaridis ◽

Konstantinos C. Xarchas ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Grip Strength ◽

Local Anesthesia ◽

Carpal Tunnel ◽

Local Anesthetic ◽

Local Anesthetics ◽

Carpal Tunnel Release ◽

Postoperative Outcome ◽

Anesthetic Concentration ◽

Open Carpal Tunnel Release ◽

Wide Awake

Abstract Introduction Wide awake open carpal tunnel decompression is a procedure performed under local anesthesia. This study aimed to present the effect of various local anesthetics in peri and postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing this procedure. Materials and Methods A total of 140 patients, with 150 hands involved, underwent carpal tunnel release under local anesthesia. Patients were divided in five groups according to local anesthetic administered: lidocaine 2%, ropivacaine 0.75%, ropivacaine 0.375%, chirocaine 0.5%, and chirocaine 0.25%. Total 400 mg of gabapentin were administered to a subgroup of 10 cases from each group (50 cases totally), 12 hours before surgery. Patients were evaluated immediately, 2 weeks and 2 months after surgery according to VAS pain score, grip strength, and two-point discrimination. Results In all patients, pain and paresthesia improved significantly postoperatively, while the use of gabapentin did not affect outcomes. Grip strength recovered and exceeded the preoperative value 2 months after surgery, without any difference between the groups. No case of infection, hematoma, or revision surgery was reported. Conclusion Recovery after open carpal tunnel release appears to be irrelevant of the type of local anesthetic used during the procedure. Solutions of low local anesthetic concentration (lidocaine 2%, ropivacaine 0.375%, and chirocaine 0.25%) provide adequate intraoperative analgesia without affecting the postoperative course.

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The impact of tourniquet on patient satisfaction in carpal tunnel decompression

Open Medicine ◽

10.2478/s11536-007-0016-4 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 2 (2) ◽

pp. 222-226 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Kamal Nagpal ◽

Mohammed Gossiel ◽

Hari Kumar

Keyword(s):

Patient Satisfaction ◽

Carpal Tunnel ◽

Carpal Tunnel Release ◽

Clinical History ◽

Apparent Difference ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Tunnel Syndrome ◽

Without Tourniquet ◽

Time Of Operation ◽

The Impact

AbstractRelease of the transverse carpal ligament can be performed safely under local anesthesia and without the use of tourniquet. There are conflicting reports for the use of tourniquet in carpal tunnel syndrome. The aim of the study was to compare the patient satisfaction with and without tourniquet in patients with carpal tunnel decompression. This was a retrospective study performed in twenty-four patients who underwent bilateral carpal tunnel decompression. All the patients were diagnosed using a combination of clinical history, clinical tests and EMG recordings.One side was operated with use of tourniquet and other side without. Patient evaluation measure was used to assess the satisfaction score. A telephonic interview was conducted and patients were asked the questions regarding discomfort caused by tourniquet. The results demonstrated that there was a significant difference in discomfort at the tourniquet site at the time of operation (p<0.00017). Long term, there was no apparent difference in functional outcome of patients operated on with or without tourniquet. There was also no significant difference in subjective sensation, grip or use of hand in patients who underwent carpal tunnel release with or without tourniquet. We conclude that we should not use tourniquet in carpal tunnel decompression.

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Carpal Tunnel Release With Wide Awake Local Anesthesia and No Tourniquet: With Versus Without Epinephrine

Hand ◽

10.1177/1558944719890038 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 155894471989003

Author(s):

Shafic Sraj

Keyword(s):

Local Anesthesia ◽

Carpal Tunnel ◽

Operative Time ◽

Carpal Tunnel Release ◽

Added Value ◽

Skin Closure ◽

Surgical Time ◽

Operative Complications ◽

Wide Awake ◽

No Tourniquet

Background: Wide awake local anesthesia and no tourniquet (WALANT) relies on epinephrine to create a relatively bloodless field. This study evaluated the effect of epinephrine on carpal tunnel release (CTR) surgical time and bleeding, including the need for use of a tourniquet or electrocautery. The hypothesis was that wide awake anesthesia without epinephrine is a viable option for CTR but increases operative time. Methods: Records of all patients who underwent CTR under wide awake anesthesia between October 2017 and September 2018 were reviewed. The injection consisted of either 10 cc of 1% lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine mixed with 1 cc of sodium bicarbonate (8.4%) (WALANT group) or 10 cc of 1% lidocaine (wide awake local anesthesia, no tourniquet and no epinephrine [WALANE] group). The time between skin incision and skin closure was calculated. Tourniquet and electrocautery use as well as operative complications were documented. Results: Thirty-two patients underwent 43 CTRs; 22 CTRs were done under WALANT, and 21 CTRs were done under WALANE. The skin-skin time was 12.8 minute (6-25 minute; standard deviation [SD] = 4.7) for WALANT and 17.4 minute (9-30 minute; SD = 5.8) for WALANE. There was a significant statistical difference (36%) in skin-skin time between the 2 groups. None of the patients required electrocautery or a tourniquet. There were no operative complications. Conclusion: Operative time increased by 36% when epinephrine was not used. Epinephrine is not an absolute necessity to perform wide awake anesthesia but, at the same time, has the added value of decreasing surgical time. Level of evidence: IV

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Clinical Update: Assessing Maximum Medical Improvement in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Guides Newsletter ◽

10.1001/amaguidesnewsletters.2003.julaug02 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 8 (4) ◽

pp. 4-5

Author(s):

Christopher R. Brigham ◽

James B. Talmage

Keyword(s):

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ◽

Carpal Tunnel ◽

Proper Time ◽

Carpal Tunnel Release ◽

Hand Function ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Early Results ◽

Medical Evaluation ◽

Nerve Recovery ◽

Tunnel Syndrome

Abstract Permanent impairment cannot be assessed until the patient is at maximum medical improvement (MMI), but the proper time to test following carpal tunnel release often is not clear. The AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment (AMA Guides) states: “Factors affecting nerve recovery in compression lesions include nerve fiber pathology, level of injury, duration of injury, and status of end organs,” but age is not prognostic. The AMA Guides clarifies: “High axonotmesis lesions may take 1 to 2 years for maximum recovery, whereas even lesions at the wrist may take 6 to 9 months for maximal recovery of nerve function.” The authors review 3 studies that followed patients’ long-term recovery of hand function after open carpal tunnel release surgery and found that estimates of MMI ranged from 25 weeks to 24 months (for “significant improvement”) to 18 to 24 months. The authors suggest that if the early results of surgery suggest a patient's improvement in the activities of daily living (ADL) and an examination shows few or no symptoms, the result can be assessed early. If major symptoms and ADL problems persist, the examiner should wait at least 6 to 12 months, until symptoms appear to stop improving. A patient with carpal tunnel syndrome who declines a release can be rated for impairment, and, as appropriate, the physician may wish to make a written note of this in the medical evaluation report.

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The association between surgery for carpal and cubital tunnel syndrome: analysis of incidence and risk factors within a geographical area

Journal of Hand Surgery (European Volume) ◽

10.1177/1753193420980983 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 46 (3) ◽

pp. 260-264

Author(s):

Nick A. Johnson ◽

Oliver Darwin ◽

Dimitrious Chasiouras ◽

Anna Selby ◽

Chris Bainbridge

Keyword(s):

Relative Risk ◽

Carpal Tunnel ◽

Carpal Tunnel Release ◽

Geographical Area ◽

Cubital Tunnel Syndrome ◽

Cubital Tunnel ◽

Level Of Evidence ◽

Tunnel Syndrome ◽

The Relationship ◽

Syndrome Analysis

The relationship between surgery for cubital tunnel and carpal tunnel syndrome was examined in this retrospective study. Between 1997 and 2018, data from consecutive patients who underwent carpal tunnel release (8352 patients), cubital tunnel release (1681 patients) or both procedures (692 patients) were analysed. The relative risk of undergoing cubital tunnel release in the population who had carpal tunnel release compared with those with no carpal tunnel release was 15.3 (male 20.3; female 12.5). The relative risk of undergoing carpal tunnel release in the population who had cubital tunnel release compared with those who did not undergo carpal tunnel release was 11.5 (male 16.5; female 9.1). Our study showed that men and women who undergo carpal tunnel release are over 20 times and 10 times more likely to have cubital tunnel release than those who did not undergo carpal tunnel release, respectively. These findings suggest that the two conditions may share a similar aetiology. Level of evidence: IV

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WALANT Technique versus Sedation for Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Release

Hand ◽

10.1177/15589447211003180 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 155894472110031

Author(s):

Ian Wellington ◽

Antonio Cusano ◽

Joel V. Ferreira ◽

Anthony Parrino

Keyword(s):

Local Anesthesia ◽

Carpal Tunnel ◽

Carpal Tunnel Release ◽

Postanesthesia Care Unit ◽

Complication Rates ◽

Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Release ◽

Average Operating ◽

Wide Awake ◽

No Tourniquet ◽

Room Time

Background This study sought to investigate complication rates/perioperative metrics after endoscopic carpal tunnel release (eCTR) via wide-awake, local anesthesia, no tourniquet (WALANT) versus sedation or local anesthesia with a tourniquet. Methods Patients aged 18 years or older who underwent an eCTR between April 28, 2018, and December 31, 2019, by 1 of 2 fellowship-trained surgeons at our single institution were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided into 3 groups: monitored anesthesia care with tourniquet (MT), local anesthesia with tourniquet (LT), and WALANT. Results Inclusion criteria were met by 156 cases; 53 (34%) were performed under MT, 25 (16%) under LT, and 78 (50%) under WALANT. The MT group (46.1 ± 9.7) was statistically younger compared with LT (56.3 ± 14.1, P = .007) and WALANT groups (53.5 ± 15.8, P = .008), F(2, 153) = 6.465, P = .002. Wide-awake, local anesthesia, no tourniquet had decreased procedural times (10 minutes, SD: 2) compared with MT (11 minutes, SD: 2) and LT (11 minutes, SD: 2), F(2, 153) = 5.732, P = .004). Trends favored WALANT over MT and LT for average operating room time (20 minutes, SD: 3 vs 32 minutes, SD: 6 vs 23 minutes, SD: 3, respectively, F(2, 153) = 101.1, P < .001), postanesthesia care unit time (12 minutes, SD: 7 vs 1:12 minutes, SD: 26 vs 20 minutes, SD: 22, respectively, F(2, 153) =171.1, P < .001), and door-to-door time (1:37 minutes, SD: 21 vs 2:51 minutes, SD: 40 vs 1:46 minutes, SD: 33, respectively, F(2, 153) = 109.3, P < .001). There were no differences in complication rates. Conclusions Our data suggest favorable trends for patients undergoing eCTR via WALANT versus MT versus LT.

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Systematic review and meta-analysis of surgical options for recurrent or persistent carpal tunnel syndrome: simple decompression versus coverage of the median nerve

Journal of Hand Surgery (European Volume) ◽

10.1177/17531934211001715 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 175319342110017

Author(s):

Saskia F. de Roo ◽

Philippe N. Sprangers ◽

Erik T. Walbeehm ◽

Brigitte van der Heijden

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ◽

Median Nerve ◽

Carpal Tunnel ◽

Carpal Tunnel Release ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Surgical Techniques ◽

Open Release ◽

Flap Coverage ◽

Tunnel Syndrome

We performed a systematic review on the success of different surgical techniques for the management of recurrent and persistent carpal tunnel syndrome. Twenty studies met the inclusion criteria and were grouped by the type of revision carpal tunnel release, which were simple open release, open release with flap coverage or open release with implant coverage. Meta-analysis showed no difference, and pooled success proportions were 0.89, 0.89 and 0.85 for simple open carpal tunnel release, additional flap coverage and implant groups, respectively. No added value for coverage of the nerve was seen. Our review indicates that simple carpal tunnel release without additional coverage of the median nerve seems preferable as it is less invasive and without additional donor site morbidity. We found that the included studies were of low quality with moderate risk of bias and did not differentiate between persistent and recurrent carpal tunnel syndrome.

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