Efectividad y eficiencia del uso de la anestesia en la cirugía descompresiva del síndrome del túnel carpiano

Abstract

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate the use of local anesthesia in the decompressive surgery of carpal tunnel syndrome from a clinical and economic point of view. Material and methodsA total of 229 releases of the median nerve, performed through classical open surgery, were evaluated. Local anesthetic was used in 138 patients, intravenous locoregional anesthetic was used in 71 patients, and brachial plexus anesthesia was used in the remaining 20 patients.Patients’ tolerance to the anesthetic technique was evaluated through the visual analogous scale referring to pain during the application of the anesthesia, to the pain from the tourniquet and to patients’ pain during the procedure. The final result of the intervention and its approximate costs were evaluated according to the anesthesia used. ResultsThe anesthetic technique did not influence the results of decompression or the frequency of surgical complications. None of the patients administered local anesthesia required a change of anesthetic technique.Brachial plexus block were associated with longer duration of the intervention. In patients undergoing local anesthesia, tolerance of the tourniquet was excellent, as was perception of pain during the procedure. ConclusionsThe use of local anesthesia in the surgery of the carpal tunnel syndrome is well tolerated by patients and reduces the cost of the intervention.