Wide-Awake Hand Surgery

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I am very conscious of the huge amount of money spent on health care in this country as well as the risks associated with anesthesia. Many procedures that I perform can be performed safely and comfortably under local anesthesia without the need for general anesthesia. This can be done with very minimal pain prior to the procedure, and the procedure itself is pain-free. This allows the patient to recover more quickly on the day of surgery, and means preoperative testing, fasting, and postop nausea can become a thing of the past for many procedures. 

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Some of the procedures that I can perform under local anesthesia include carpal tunnel release, trigger fingers, tendon repairs, hand and finger fractures, and more. I will offer the kind of anesthesia that is best for the type of procedure being performed and the patients' needs. 

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Avoiding sedation or general anesthesia during hand surgery has the following benefits:

• Eliminates the need for intravenous medications

• Eliminates post-anesthesia nausea and confusion

• Helps patients recover and return to normal activities more quickly

• Allows patients to continue taking their home medications without interruption

• The cost for patients and the medical system is generally lower with wide awake hand surgery

• It allows for the surgeon to test any repaired structures such as fractures or tendon repairs to verify a good repair while the patient moves them.

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Almost all patients have a very pleasant experience while undergoing surgery under local anesthesia. Many even choose to watch their procedure. Many procedures can even be performed in the office, saving the patient a significant amount of time and money.