The Efficacy of Wide-Awake Local Anesthesia No Tourniquet (WALANT) in Common Plastic Surgery Operations Performed on the Upper Limbs: A Case–Control Study

Abstract

Background: The wide-awake local anesthesia no tourniquet (WALANT) technique is commonly used in elective hand surgery, whereas its application in plastic surgery is still limited. The aim of the study is to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of WALANT in common plastic surgery operations performed on the upper limbs. Methods: Patients who underwent those operations under WALANT were matched and compared with patients who had general or regional anesthesia without infiltration of a local anesthetic solution. All operations were performed by the same surgeon. Data from 98 operations were collected and analyzed for the total operation time, operation theatre time and complication and patient satisfaction rates. Results: All operations under WALANT, mainly skin tumor excision and flap repair or skin grafting and burn escharectomy with or without skin grafting, were completed successfully. No statistical difference in total operation time and complication rates was revealed. Statistical significance favoring WALANT was identified regarding the mean operation theatre time and patient satisfaction. Conclusions: WALANT is an effective method for common plastic surgery operations performed on the upper limbs that is associated with better operation theatre occupancy and high patient satisfaction rates.