CARPAL-TUNNEL DECOMPRESSION UNDER LOCAL-ANESTHETIC AND TOURNIQUET CONTROL

A postal survey within the North West Region (UK) revealed that 66% of the consultant orthopaedic surgeons did not use local anaesthesia rou tinely for carpel tunnel decompression, This prospective study,vas set up to assess the effectiveness, safety and patient tolerance of perfo rming this procedure using local anaesthesia and upper arm tourniquet control, Eight-six carpal tunnel decompressions were performed on 75 c onsecutive and unselected patients with confirmed carpel tunnel syndro me over a 6-month period, Completed questionnaires were obtained befor e discharge, None or only. slight discomfort was experienced for all a spects of the operation in at least 94%, None of the patients reported severe and unbearable discomfort, At review, 3 months postoperatively , all patients with the exception of two reported complete resolution of preoperative symptoms, The use of local anaesthesia and a tournique t is safe, effective and well-tolerated in carpal tunnel decompression s.