WALANT (wide-awake local anaesthesia no tourniquet) and the East African surgical burden: A replicable training workshop in Eldoret, Kenya

Abstract

Wide Awake Local Anesthesia No Tourniquet is a cost-effective anesthetic alternative that holds the potential to increase access to affordable and effective surgery. This surgical innovation was popularized by American hand surgeons who performed procedures successfully in less time, using less resources, with low infection rates and pain self-reports, which has since been validated with follow-up studies (4; 7; 15). This manuscript documents the impact of WALANT and presents a framework for educating health professionals on the innovation by reviewing the methods of a surgical workshop held in Eldoret, Kenya. It finally encourages the dissemination of WALANT training, since the technique has presented itself as a helpful tool in the efforts to improve access to safe and affordable surgery in East Africa.