Wide-Awake Olecranon Fracture Fixation: Is it Possible?

PURPOSE

The wide-awake local anesthesia no tourniquet technique has been widely performed in hand and wrist surgery with remarkable results. However, its use on the elbow has rarely been reported. Here we describe the use of wide-awake local anesthesia no tourniquet in olecranon fracture fixation in 4 cases.

METHODS

Tumescent anesthesia was injected from the proximal ulna to approximately 10 cm distally and into the periosteum and fracture site, approximately 25 minutes before skin incision. The fracture underwent closed reduction and was fixed using a long 6.5-mm cancellous screw with a washer through a small incision. No tourniquet was applied and none or mild sedation was administered. At the end of the operation, patients were asked to perform active elbow flexion-extension and forearm pronosupination movements under an image intensifier to test the range of motion and fracture stability.

RESULTS

The surgical procedure was completed in all 4 cases. Two patients reported mild pain during ulnar medullary canal reaming, with pain scores of 3 and 4 on a 10-point scale, respectively. One case was resolved with additional local anesthetic injection. The other case required the administration of intravenous propofol. Both patients were able to actively move the elbow at the end of the operation.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of wide-awake local anesthesia no tourniquet for olecranon fracture fixation has the advantage of obviating the need for an arm tourniquet, general anesthesia or heavy sedation, preoperative tests, and discontinuing routine medications (including anticoagulants). The stability of the elbow fixation was tested by active motion during surgery. This simple, safe, low-cost, and reproducible technique may be a good option for patients with contraindications or high risk of general or regional nerve block anesthesia.

TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic IV.