Cost analysis of carpal tunnel release with local anesthesia vs sedation. A survey of the Argentinian Association of Hand Surgery.

Purpose: To compare the costs of carpal tunnel release (CTR) performed in a minor procedure room using wide awake local anesthesia no tourniquet (WALANT), local anesthesia with a tourniquet (AL-T) and CTR in a conventional operating room (OR) with sedation. Additionally, we aimed to assess the anesthetic preferences of the Argentine Association of Hand and Upper Limb Reconstructive Surgery (AACM) members regarding CTR.

Material And Methods: This cross-sectional, single-center study involved analyzing specific hospital costs associated with each anesthesia technique in both surgical settings.