scholarly journals Fixation of distal radius fractures using wide-awake local anaesthesia with no tourniquet (WALANT) technique

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 429-439
Author(s):  
Muhammad Tahir ◽  
Ejaz Ali Chaudhry ◽  
Zain Zaffar ◽  
Kashif Anwar ◽  
Muhammad Ameer Hamza Mamoon ◽  
...  

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 ◽  
Vol 2 (6) ◽  
pp. 331-338
Author(s):  
Liew Mei Yi ◽  
Amir Adham Ahmad ◽  
Shairil Rahayu Ruslan ◽  
Shalimar Abdullah ◽  
Abdul Rauf Ahmad

2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (10) ◽  
pp. 4269-4276 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hagay Orbach ◽  
Nimrod Rozen ◽  
Guy Rubin

Objective The use of wide-awake local anesthesia with no tourniquet (WALANT) is becoming an excellent alternative for elective hand surgeries and hand surgeries involving minor trauma. Although the use of WALANT for some soft tissue surgeries has become the state of the art, data regarding bony procedures, such as fracture management, under WALANT are limited. This study was performed to assess the WALANT technique for open reduction and internal fixation of distal radius fractures. Methods Five patients with displaced distal radius fractures were enrolled in the study. WALANT was carried out about 30 minutes prior to the first incision. Surgery was performed in the normal fashion, and the fractures were fixed using anatomic locking plates. After surgery, the patients were admitted overnight for observation and pain assessment, and they were discharged within 24 hours postoperatively. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were recorded. Follow-up was performed in our outpatient clinic. No abnormalities were recorded. Results All patients underwent a successful painless surgery. No extra bleeding or other complications were recorded. Conclusion The WALANT technique offers a simple and safe alternative to traditional anesthetic techniques for open reduction and plating of distal radius fractures.


2020 ◽  
Vol 45 (8) ◽  
pp. 857-863
Author(s):  
Ruben Dukan ◽  
Elie Krief ◽  
Remy Nizard

Surgical fixation of distal radius fractures under local anaesthesia with the patient wide awake allows an intraoperative testing of the fixation stability under active mobilization. We evaluated the feasibility and clinical results of this technique in 45 patients prospectively in two matched comparable groups: wide-awake local anaesthesia no tourniquet and loco-regional anaesthesia. We found that the pain scores during the anaesthetic administration and the surgical procedure were similar in two groups. Ranges of wrist motion and QuickDASH scores were improved significantly in the wide-awake local anaesthesia no tourniquet group at 6 weeks and 3 months and similar at 6 months compared with those receiving loco-regional anaesthesia. Patients in wide-awake local anaesthesia no tourniquet returned to work significantly earlier than the loco-regional anaesthesia group. We conclude that osteosynthesis of distal radius fractures can be safely performed under wide-awake local anaesthesia no tourniquet, leading to no increase in pain level and similar functional outcomes compared with those under loco-regional anaesthesia. Level of evidence: III


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (12) ◽  
pp. 1027-1034
Author(s):  
Sondre Hassellund ◽  
Zinajda Zolic-Karlsson ◽  
John Håkon Williksen ◽  
Torstein Husby ◽  
Jan Erik Madsen ◽  
...  

Aims The purpose was to compare operative treatment with a volar plate and nonoperative treatment of displaced distal radius fractures in patients aged 65 years and over in a cost-effectiveness analysis. Methods A cost-utility analysis was performed alongside a randomized controlled trial. A total of 50 patients were randomized to each group. We prospectively collected data on resource use during the first year post-fracture, and estimated costs of initial treatment, further operations, physiotherapy, home nursing, and production loss. Health-related quality of life was based on the Euro-QoL five-dimension, five-level (EQ-5D-5L) utility index, and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) were calculated. Results The mean QALYs were 0.05 higher in the operative group during the first 12 months (p = 0.260). The healthcare provider costs were €1,533 higher per patient in the operative group: €3,589 in the operative group and 2,056 in the nonoperative group. With a suggested willingness to pay of €27,500 per QALY there was a 45% chance for operative treatment to be cost-effective. For both groups, the main costs were related to the primary treatment. The primary surgery was the main driver of the difference between the groups. The costs related to loss of production were high in both groups, despite high rates of retirement. Retirement rate was unevenly distributed between the groups and was not included in the analysis. Conclusion Surgical treatment was not cost-effective in patients aged 65 years and older compared to nonoperative treatment of displaced distal radius fractures in a healthcare perspective. Costs related to loss of production might change this in the future if the retirement age increases. Level of evidence: II Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2021;2(12):1027–1034.


Hand ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 509-515 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica L. Truong ◽  
Chris Doherty ◽  
Nina Suh

Background: Socioeconomic factors are known to affect outcomes for both medical and surgical conditions. The purpose of this systematic review was to assess the current evidence regarding the effect of socioeconomic factors such as income, geographic location, educational level, and occupation on clinical outcomes after distal radius fractures. Methods: A systematic search strategy was performed to identify studies commenting on the effect of socioeconomic factors on clinical outcomes following open or closed distal radius fracture repair. Abstract and full-text screening was performed by 2 independent reviewers, and articles were evaluated by Structured Effectiveness Quality Evaluation Scale (SEQES). Treatment outcomes of interest included, but were not limited to, pain, function, range of motion, and grip strength. Results: There were 1745 studies that met our inclusion and exclusion criteria for abstract screening. Of these, 48 studies met our inclusion criteria for full-text screening and 20 studies met our criteria for quality analysis with the SEQES score. There were 3 studies of high quality, 16 of moderate quality, and 1 of low quality. Meta-analyses were not possible due to the variability in outcomes of interest across papers. Conclusions: Patient factors indicative of socioeconomic status are relevant predictors of functional outcome after distal radius fractures. There is currently limited evidence in this area of research, and further examination should be considered to improve outcomes from a patient and system standpoint.


Hand Surgery ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 19 (03) ◽  
pp. 357-362 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chul-Hyun Cho ◽  
Si-Wook Lee ◽  
Gu-Hee Jung

The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes of volar plating using two different implants for distal radius fractures. Fifty-two patients with AO type C fractures were placed in either of two groups: the AO LDRS group (26 patients) or the Acu-Loc group (26 patients). Radiological parameters including radial length, radial inclination, volar tilt, and intra-articular step-off were significantly improved after surgery. The mean Mayo Wrist Performance Score was 84.6 in the AO LDRS group and 81.1 in the Acu-Loc group. The mean Subjective Wrist Value was 86.7% in the AO LDRS group and 86.3% in the Acu-Loc group. There were no significant differences between the two groups with respect to both radiological and clinical outcomes at the final follow-up evaluation. Volar fixed-angle plating for unstable distal radius fractures had satisfactory radiological and clinical outcomes. The difference of implant design did not influence overall final outcomes.


2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (01) ◽  
pp. 30-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takeshi Katayama ◽  
Hiroshi Ono ◽  
Shohei Omokawa

Background: This study aimed to identify the effect of the progression of postoperative wrist osteoarthritis on 5 years clinical and radiological outcomes after volar locking plate fixation of distal radius fractures. Methods: Altogether, 56 patients with distal radius fractures were followed up 5 years after surgery. Clinical assessment was performed using the Mayo modified wrist score, a visual analogue scale of pain, the Japanese version of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand score, and Patient-related wrist evaluation. Standardized wrist radiographs were used to assess wrist morphology and the Knirk and Jupiter’s degree of osteoarthritis. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze postoperative morphological changes in the wrist and carpal alignment regarding their correlation with progression of wrist osteoarthritis. Results: Progression of postoperative wrist osteoarthritis was recognized in 37 of the 56 cases (66.1%). Compared with the clinical outcomes at the time of the fracture union completion, almost clinical outcomes improved up to 5 years follow-up time as well as at 1 year after surgery. The range of wrist flexion at 5 years follow-up was significantly less in the progressive osteoarthritis group than in those with non-progressive osteoarthritis. The persistent step-off immediately after surgery significantly affected the postoperative progression of wrist osteoarthritis. Changes in the radial inclination, volar tilt, and radioscaphoid angle correlated with progression of wrist osteoarthritis. The highest correlation was with the change of radioscaphoid angle. Conclusions: Good clinical results were maintained at 5 years after surgery, but progression of postoperative wrist osteoarthritis interfered with improvement of wrist flexion. Change in the radioscaphoid angle was the factor that was most highly correlated with progression of postoperative wrist osteoarthritis.


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