About the unit
The Hand and Plastic Day Surgery Unit is situated in the Clarendon Wing of Leeds General Infirmary. The unit provides anaesthesia and surgery for elective and acute hand, wrist and forearm surgery and general acute plastic surgery. Within the unit are situated out-patients clinics, physiotherapy and occupational therapy providing integrated support for patients with hand conditions and injuries. The unit has two operating theatres, one traditional in design and the other a large purpose built hand theatre with two operating tables with laminar flow for each operating table and a dividing screen between the two tables.
Your anaesthetic
All hand surgery in the unit is performed under regional or local anaesthesia - general anaesthesia is only used in exceptional circumstances. Regional blocks are performed by one of the dedicated team of six Consultant Anaesthetists with an interest in Regional Anaesthesia. Patients are admitted and proceed to the anaesthetic block area which has four dedicated anaesthetic bays where all the regional blocks are performed. Once patients are assessed as ready for surgery they proceed into the operating theatre. The majority of our regional anaesthetic procedures are now performed under ultrasound guidance. Since the introduction of ultrasound into our practice we have had increased patient satisfaction, have used lower local anaesthetic doses and had faster onset times for our blocks.
Your stay
We currently perform over 1000 brachial plexus blocks per year in the unit, predominantly axillary and supraclavicular blocks. The vast majority of our patients are admitted and discharged on the day of surgery - the few patients who need to remain in hospital, stay usually for reasons unrelated to their anaesthetic procedure.
On Discharge
Most patients are discharged with their regional block still effective. All patients are given written instructions on taking care of their arm and what to do if problems arise after their regional block. Patients are also given a supply of appropriate painkillers.
