Background: Proximal interphalangeal joint (PIPJ) osteoarthritis is a common condition that results in pain, stiffness, and loss of function in the affected hand. Proximal interphalangeal joint arthroplasty is an effective treatment option when conservative methods have failed. The wide-awake local anesthesia no tourniquet (WALANT) technique to perform surgery carries advantages such as lack of tourniquet discomfort, reduces the staffing and costs associated with anesthesia and sedation, and allows faster recovery. We aimed to determine whether the WALANT technique was safe and effective in the context of PIPJ arthroplasty. Methods: Patients were enrolled retrospectively from January 2015 to October 2020 by examining operating theater records and surgeon logbooks. Electronic patient records were examined to obtain patient data. Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaires and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain were sent by post to patients—with a separate DASH and VAS for each digit operated on. Results: Twenty-nine PIPJ arthroplasties were carried out using WALANT technique by 3 different surgeons all using the dorsal approach. All cases were successfully carried out as day-case procedures. There was a significant correlation with increasing VAS and increasing DASH score. Proximal interphalangeal joint arthroplasty improved range of motion from 28.9 ± 5.5° to 79.4 ± 13.3° ( P < .0001). Two cases developed complications related to surgery. Conclusions: Our study is the first to report the use of WALANT to perform PIPJ arthroplasty, and shows comparable results with traditional methods. Larger, multicenter prospective trials are required to determine the efficacy of this technique and to quantify its economical benefit.
A novel method is presented by which a tourniquet can be applied just proximal to the greater trochanter, without interfering with asepsis. The distal migration of the tourniquet cuff is prevented by a Steinmann pin passed through the greater trochanter. This method has been tried in 20 cases of proximal lower limb surgery with great success. The use of a tourniquet in limb surgery is often required1. A common site of application of the tourniquet for lower limb surgery is at the junction of middle and upper third of the thigh. However, it is difficult to use such a tourniquet for extensive resection of malignant tumours around the knee joint where proximal limits of the incision may reach almost up to the subtrochanteric region. One can apply the tourniquet at the root of the limb just below and parallel to the inguinal ligament, but it may fail as a thigh is conical from proximal to distal and hence the tourniquet cuff or bandage slips downward, thus making it loose2. We have devised a method by which a tourniquet can be applied at the root of the thigh and can be maintained in the same position without any distal migration and loosening, thus making the thigh a bloodless field even up to the subtrochanteric level. We have used this technique for Van Nes rotation plasty and also for osteosynthesis of the middle third of the femur.
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