Outcomes of flexor carpi radialis tendon transfer surgery for patients with radial nerve injury: a comparison of the wide-awake method and general anesthesia.

Background: Advanced intraoperative anesthesia techniques have improved patient cooperation, stabilized hemodynamic status, and reduced postoperative pain and disability, especially in reconstructive limb surgeries. The Wide-Awake Local Anesthetic No Tourniquet (WALANT) technique has recently been adopted due to its peculiar advantages, but comparative studies of its benefits and limitations against general anesthesia are not well explored in FCR tendon transfer surgery. This study investigates outcomes of flexor carpi radialis (FCR) tendon transfer surgery in patients with radial nerve injuries using either the Wide-Awake approach or general anesthesia.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we included patients with confirmed radial nerve injuries who underwent FCR tendon transfer from 2019 to 2024. Participants were then divided into two groups; one received the WALANT anesthesia (200 ml epinephrine 1:400000 and 0.25% lidocaine buffered with sodium bicarbonate), while the other received general anesthesia. Data was collected from the medical records and the Hospital Information System (HIS). The intensity of pain, postoperative opioid consumption, wrist and finger function, and levels of patient satisfaction were measured both before and one month after surgery.

Results: There was no statistical difference between the groups regarding pain intensity, postoperative opioid dosage, and symptom severity. However, the WALANT group exhibited significantly less motor dysfunction in the postoperative period, which translated to a much higher level of patient satisfaction compared with general anesthesia.

Conclusion: WALANT provides quicker recovery of motor function and results in higher patient satisfaction when compared to general anesthesia for FCR tendon transfer surgeries. This approach thus leads to an earlier return to daily activities and occupational duties, which in turn helps improve overall patient satisfaction post-surgery.