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Emerging New Surgery for Common Hand & Wrist Procedures

The Christ Hospital Joint & Spine Center is now offering local anesthesia for common hand and wrist procedures

10/3/2017

Many hand surgeons are moving away from traditional surgery to an approach that utilizes wide awake local anesthesia. The goal of anesthesia for procedures involving the upper extremity is to provide the most comfortable and safe experience for the patient during surgery. The Christ Hospital Joint & Spine Center is now offering local anesthesia for common hand and wrist procedures. Noah Shaftel, MD, orthopaedic surgeon with The Christ Hospital Physicians, specializes in hand and upper extremity surgery and is leading the region with this evolving surgery method.

“The most common surgeries that are performed under local anesthetic are carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger fingers, and De Quervain’s releases. These are all surgeries that in the past had been done with either general anesthetic or a local anesthetic with sedation. Now, more and more frequently, we’re performing them under a local anesthetic” said Dr. Shaftel.

There are a number of benefits to the patient in using a local anesthetic. The main reason to perform a procedure utilizing local anesthesia is that it may be safer for patients. Dr. Shaftel explains, “Even very sick patients, patients who take blood thinners who previously would have been an anesthetic risk, can safely have their surgery under local anesthetic.” An additional benefit is that it is often more convenient for patients. Because patients are awake during their procedure, they can speak with the physician during the surgery. Additionally, they don’t have the grogginess or the nausea that can occur following general anesthesia. “Patients love the fact that they don’t have to be fasting for surgery, that they can leave – literally change their clothes and leave right after the surgery. They sometimes can drive themselves to and from surgery without having anybody else with them. It really makes for a very efficient, smooth patient experience” said Dr. Shaftel. The last reason that patients prefer local anesthesia is cost. Local anesthesia doesn’t require any charges for an anesthesia team with an anesthesiologist or the anesthesia to actually be administered.

“I think local anesthesia is revolutionizing the practice of hand surgery. It allows us to operate on patients who are more critically sick without the typical risks associated with anesthesia” explains Dr. Shaftel. To learn more, please call The Christ Hospital Joint & Spine Center at 513-557-4900.

About The Christ Hospital Health Network: The Christ Hospital Health Network is an acute care hospital located in Mt. Auburn with six ambulatory centers and dozens of offices conveniently located throughout the region. The Network is supported by more than 1200 talented physicians and 5800 dedicated employees. Its mission is to improve the health of the community and to create patient value by providing exceptional outcomes, the finest experiences all in an affordable way. They have been recognized by Forbes Magazine as the 24th best large employer in the nation in their America’s 500 Best Large Employers listing and by National Consumer Research as the region’s Most Preferred Hospital for 21 consecutive years. The Network is dedicated to transforming care by delivering integrated, personalized healthcare through its comprehensive, multi-specialty physician network. The Christ Hospital is among only 6% of hospitals in the nation to be awarded Magnet recognition for nursing excellence and among the top 5% of hospitals in the country for patient satisfaction. For more than 125 years, The Christ Hospital has provided compassionate care to those it serves.