Distal radius fracture fixation using WALANT versus general and regional anesthesia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: WALANT (wide-awake local anaesthetic no tourniquet) has become a popular technique in upper limb surgery including distal radius fracture fixation. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to assess the effectiveness of the WALANT technique in distal radius fracture fixation, and to compare it to both general and regional anaesthesia. METHODS: Pubmed, Embase, and Scopus databases were searched on 26/06/21 according to the PRISMA guidelines with the following search terms: radius, WALANT, "local anesthetic", wide-awake surgery. All studies comparing WALANT with other forms of anaesthesia for distal radius fracture fixation were included. RESULTS: 110 articles were identified, six studies (410 patients) were included, 164 of these patients were in the WALANT group. Two patients (1.2%) in the WALANT group and seven (6.5%) in the regional anaesthesia group required conversion to general anaesthesia. There was no statistically significant difference in post-operative complications, intra-operative VAS pain scores, operative times, functional or radiological outcomes. A statistically significant 8.6 mls increase in pooled mean blood loss in the WALANT group was noted (p = 0.02) although the clinical significance of this is doubtful. CONCLUSION: The WALANT technique for distal radius fracture fixation is non-inferior to regional and general anaesthesia. It is a safe and effective technique that surgeons may consider utilising, especially for patients not suitable for general anaesthetic or in centres in which there is a lack of access to specialist anaesthetic equipment and care.

Radial nerve injury following dry needling.

A 27-year-old secretary presented to an orthopaedic outpatients department with a 1-month history of left wrist drop following dry needling. On insertion of a needle, she reported spasms in her left hand followed by a wrist drop. An MRI scan was normal. Electromyogram and nerve conduction studies showed a neuropraxia of the left radial nerve. She was referred to a hand therapist for splinting and intensive hand therapy; however, her symptoms remain unchanged.