WALANT Procedure in Carpal Tunnel Release

"The WALANT technique, performed under ultrasound, includes two punctures.~* The first is a puncture through a medial approach above the wrist and includes two injections. A first subcutaneous injection reproducing a bar above the wrist flexion line, and a second injection above the median nerve. The volumes injected vary from 8 to 10 milliliters (ml).~* The second puncture is performed at the base of the palmar surface of the hand and consists of a 10 ml subcutaneous injection of the local anesthetic in order to take advantage of the vasoconstrictive effects of adrenaline, thus allowing the surgical procedure to be performed without a pneumatic tourniquet."

The anesthetic protocol in the axillary block consists of performing a puncture, using a needle (50 mm 22G with a short bevel), under the armpit at the level of the axillary hollow after skin disinfection. This puncture, performed under ultrasound, allows the injection of the local anesthetic around the median, radial, ulnar and musculocutaneous nerves. The volume injected per nerve can vary from 5 to 8 ml depending on the visual appreciation during the injection.

The anesthetic protocol in truncal block consists in injecting the local anesthetic around the median and ulnar nerves by a puncture performed at the elbow or forearm (depending on the practitioner's experience). The volumes injected remain the same and the puncture is also performed under ultrasound guidance. Additional local anesthesia is administered by injecting an additional 5 ml above the wrist flexion line to block the sensory territory of the musculocutaneous nerve.