A prospective, comparative study of the analgesic effect between the WALANT technique and local anesthesia associated with sedation for hand surgery

PURPOSE: The primary objective of this study was to compare the WALANT (wide awake, local anesthesia, no tourniquet) technique with local anesthesia associated with sedation in relation to pain intensity for minor hand surgical procedures. The secondary objective was to evaluate the need for analgesic complementation. METHODS: A prospective, randomized, comparative, and clinical study was carried out. The sample size in each group was determined after statistical evaluation of the results of a pilot project. The participants were allocated to one of two groups; those in group 1 were submitted to the WALANT technique, and those in group 2, to local anesthesia associated with sedation, for elective surgery. The surgical procedures were carpal tunnel syndrome, De Quervain’s tenosynovitis, synovial cyst, finger cyst, and trigger finger. Pain intensity, need for complementation and evolution to complex regional pain syndrome were evaluated. RESULTS: There was no difference between groups in pain intensity after WALANT and need for intraoperative complementation. There was no significant difference in the amount of opioid applied postoperatively between the groups. There was no difference between groups regarding comfort during surgery. There was no difference in adverse effects and complications between the groups. Hematoma was the most frequent adverse event. No severe adverse events were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The WALANT technique promoted an analgesic effect similar to that of local anesthesia associated with sedation, without increasing adverse effects.