Performing Hand Surgery Under Local Anesthesia Without a Tourniquet in China

Abstract

In China, wide-awake surgeries are increasingly used by surgeons in a growing number of hospitals for hand and upper extremity surgeries. Experience suggests that wide-awake surgery is safe, economical, and patient-friendly, optimizing hospital resource allocation and increasing efficiency. This article discusses which procedures are most suitable, variations in procedures, departmental impacts, and future direction.

Keywords: Anesthesia; Carpal tunnel release; Cost and efficiency of hand surgery; Hand fractures; Tendon repairs; Tourniquet; Tumor resection.