Dr. Jecky Chandra, a specialist in finger, hand, and elbow orthopedic surgery at the Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri, is recognized for his ability to perform hand surgeries using the Wide Awake Local Anesthesia No Tourniquet (WALANT) technique.
Understanding WALANT – One of Dr. Jecky’s Specialties
Traditionally, hand and wrist surgeries are performed using a tourniquet—a special strap tied around the arm to control bleeding and improve visibility in the surgical area. However, tourniquets can be uncomfortable for patients, often requiring general anesthesia to alleviate the discomfort.
In some cases, however, hand and wrist surgeries need to be done while the patient is awake. This allows the surgeon to give instructions to the patient during the procedure to ensure the surgery is successful.
For example, in tendon repair or transfer procedures for trigger finger, the patient needs to be conscious so they can inform the surgeon if the tension in the tendon feels too tight or too loose during the operation. If general anesthesia is used, the patient is unconscious, which could compromise the outcome.
WALANT provides a solution. It is a surgical technique for the hand and wrist (including fingers) performed while the patient is awake. During the procedure, local anesthesia is administered so that the surgical site is numb, while the patient remains fully conscious and pain-free.
In WALANT, no tourniquet or general anesthesia is used. Instead, the doctor uses special medication to keep the area pain-free while the patient remains awake and aware.
Conditions Treatable with WALANT
WALANT helps restore hand and finger mobility to their original or best possible function. It is especially beneficial for injuries that impair hand functions like grip strength, finger flexibility, or coordination.
This is especially crucial for athletes in sports like tennis, badminton, and basketball, as well as professionals in the arts who rely on precise finger coordination, such as pianists, guitarists, and violinists.
Here are some conditions treatable with WALANT:
- Nerve compression
- Tendon injuries or repairs
- Carpal tunnel release
- Trigger finger release
- Finger sensory block
- Soft tissue lesions in the fingers
- PIP joint fusions (surgery to straighten and fuse the first joint of the toe)
- Thumb MCP joint fusions
- Collateral ligament tears of the metacarpophalangeal joint
- Dupuytren’s contracture (a condition that causes fingers to bend toward the palm)
- Flexor tendon repairs
- Ligament repairs
- Fracture fixation
- Arthritis
- Mass removal
See also: dr. Jecky Chandra, M.Kes, Sp.OT(K) Hand & Elbow Orthopedic Doctor Who Can Connect Fingers
Benefits of WALANT Surgery
Some of the key benefits of WALANT for hand, finger, and wrist surgeries include:
- Simpler surgical process, as no general anesthesia preparation is needed
- Shorter hospital stays due to quicker recovery
- Patients can see and feel the repaired structures move during surgery, helping with motivation during post-op therapy
- No tourniquet required
- No need to fast or adjust medication schedules (especially helpful for diabetic patients)
- Increased surgical safety by avoiding general anesthesia
- Overall safe procedure
WALANT Procedures with Dr. Jecky at Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri
Are you considering surgery on your hand, fingers, or wrist using the WALANT technique? You can visit Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri and consult directly with Dr. Jecky.
Not only is he an expert in WALANT, but he also has extensive experience performing these procedures. Dr. Jecky can treat a variety of conditions using WALANT, such as soft tissue tumors on the fingers, trigger finger release, and fractures.
So, if you’re looking for a skilled and experienced WALANT surgeon, don’t hesitate to visit Mandaya Puri Hospital and consult with Dr. Jecky in person.
To make your visit easier, use the chat feature on WhatsApp, book an appointment online, or download the Care Dokter app from Google Play or the App Store to check your queue number and get more information.
