Wide-Awake Local Anesthesia No Tourniquet (WALANT)

Many common hand and wrist operations can now be carried out gently and safely right here in our dedicated procedure room, while you are fully awake and comfortable. This approach is called WALANT — Wide Awake Local Anaesthesia, No Tourniquet — and it means your procedure is done using only local anaesthetic, without a general anaesthetic, without being put to sleep, and without a stay in hospital.

You walk in, have your procedure in a calm and modern setting, and walk out again a short time later to go home. For a great many patients, it is a simpler, safer and far more affordable way to have their hand problem treated.

A safer, gentler experience

Because there is no general anaesthetic and no tourniquet, WALANT removes many of the risks and much of the discomfort associated with traditional hospital surgery. You stay awake and relaxed throughout, you can talk to your surgeon during the procedure, and there is none of the grogginess, nausea or recovery time that follows a general anaesthetic.

It is a particularly good option for older patients and for those with diabetes, heart or chest conditions, or who take blood-thinning medication — many of whom can be treated safely without stopping their usual medicines, and who might otherwise be considered too high-risk for conventional surgery.

Real cost savings

Because your procedure takes place in our rooms rather than a hospital theatre, there is no hospital admission fee, no theatre fee and no separate anaesthetist's account. For many procedures, this brings the total cost to often less than half of what the equivalent hospital-based operation would cost — depending on the specific procedure and your medical scheme.

This usually means significantly less out-of-pocket expense for you, and treatment that makes better use of your medical scheme benefits.

The advantages at a glance

• No general anaesthetic you stay awake, comfortable and in control, with none of the risks or after-effects of being put to sleep.
• No hospital stay your procedure is done in our rooms, and you go home the same day, within a short time of finishing.
• No fasting or lengthy preparation in most cases you can eat normally beforehand and carry on with your day.
• Suitable for more patients including older patients and those with diabetes, heart, chest or clotting conditions.
• Faster access no waiting for a theatre slot or anaesthetist, so treatment can often happen much sooner.
• Lower cost often less than half of the equivalent hospital cost, with less out-of-pocket expense.
• Quicker recovery no anaesthetic hangover means a faster return to your normal daily life, work and family.
• A calmer setting a modern, purpose-built procedure room rather than a busy hospital theatre.

Which conditions can be treated this way?

Many of the most common hand conditions are well suited to wide-awake surgery, including carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger and trigger thumb, de Quervain's tenosynovitis, ganglion cysts, and a range of minor tendon, nerve and soft-tissue procedures. During your consultation, we will discuss whether this approach is right for you and your particular condition.

What to expect on the day

1. You arrive at our rooms — there is no need to be admitted to hospital.
2. Local anaesthetic is gently placed to numb the area completely. This is the only injection you will feel.
3. Once the area is fully numb, your procedure is carried out while you rest comfortably and awake.
4. Afterwards, you rest briefly, receive your aftercare instructions, and go home the same day.
5. We stay in close contact with you and your referring doctor throughout your recovery.

Interested to know if wide-awake surgery is right for you?

Speak to your GP about a referral, or contact our rooms directly to arrange a consultation. We would be glad to answer any questions and to talk you through your options.

Please note: not every patient or condition is suitable for wide-awake surgery, and costs vary depending on the procedure and your medical scheme. Your surgeon will discuss what is appropriate for you at your consultation.