Background: There is still some debate regarding the most proper anesthetic technique in minor hand surgeries. We hypothesized that both the WALANT and forearm tourniquet Bier block methods provide effective anesthesia in minor hand surgeries without significant difference.
Methods: A total of 85 patients consented to participate in this study and were randomized into WALANT and single tourniquet forearm Bier block groups. In WALANT group, patients received adrenaline-contained lidocaine without tourniquet while lidocaine was administered accordingly after applying a forearm tourniquet in Bier group. Due to difference in intervention methods, the study was non-blinded. Need for additional analgesia during surgery, visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain intensity during operation and an hour later, amount of bleeding and active hand movements were evaluated and recorded.
Results: The need for analgesia and severity of pain (VAS) during surgery and one hour later were significantly less in WALANT group, whereas the amount of bleeding was less in Bier block group. The ability to move hand and fingers during the operation was the same in both groups.
Conclusion: Both WALANT and single cuff forearm tourniquet Bier block are effective methods in minor hand surgeries, however, forearm Bier block provides less analgesia and pain control with a drier field than WALANT method.
Keywords: Bier block; Forearm IVRA; Hand surgery; WALANT.