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Virtual Reality Improves the Patient Experience during Wide-Awake Local Anesthesia No Tourniquet Hand Surgery: A
Ediana Hoxhallari1, Ian J Behr1, Jonathan S Bradshaw1
1From the Section of Plastic Surgery, Division of Surgery, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
|July 27, 2019
Summary
Virtual reality (VR) significantly reduced anxiety and increased enjoyment during wide-awake local anesthesia no tourniquet (WALANT) upper extremity surgery. VR did not impact pain levels but enhanced patient relaxation and willingness to recommend the procedure.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Pain Management
- Virtual Reality Applications
Background:
- Wide-awake local anesthesia no tourniquet (WALANT) surgery offers benefits like reduced costs and shorter hospital stays.
- Patient experience, including pain and anxiety, is crucial in outpatient surgical settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of virtual reality (VR) on patient pain, anxiety, and enjoyment during WALANT outpatient upper extremity surgery.
- To assess VR's effect on physiological measures and overall patient satisfaction.
Main Methods:
- Patients undergoing WALANT surgery were randomized into VR and non-VR groups.
- Pain, anxiety, and enjoyment were measured using Likert scales; blood pressure and heart rate were monitored.
- A postoperative questionnaire assessed overall satisfaction.
Main Results:
- VR group showed significantly lower anxiety scores during injection, procedure, and at completion.
- No significant differences were observed in pain scores, blood pressure, or heart rate between groups.
- VR patients reported higher enjoyment and relaxation, and greater willingness to recommend VR-assisted WALANT surgery.
Conclusions:
- Virtual reality effectively reduces patient anxiety and enhances enjoyment during WALANT upper extremity surgery.
- VR is a feasible tool to improve patient experience in awake, non-tourniquet surgical procedures.
- VR may be particularly beneficial for patients with pre-existing anxiety.
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