Using local anesthesia without a tourniquet for ankle implant removal surgery

Comparing Removal of Ankle Implants/ Hardware Using the Wide-awake Local Anesthesia no Tourniquet (WALANT) Technique Versus General Anesthesia.

Not applicable Interventional Kuwait Institute for Medical Specialization · NCT05864664

This study tests whether using local anesthesia without a tourniquet can make ankle implant removal surgery safer and more comfortable for patients compared to traditional general anesthesia.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment40 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorKuwait Institute for Medical Specialization Government
Locations1 site (Kuwait)
Trial IDNCT05864664 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study evaluates the safety and efficacy of the Wide Awake Local Anesthesia No Tourniquet (WALANT) technique in patients undergoing ankle implant removal surgery. It compares the risks and benefits of WALANT to traditional general anesthesia, focusing on intraoperative and postoperative pain levels as well as hospital stay duration. The goal is to determine if WALANT can provide a more comfortable experience for patients while reducing recovery time.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults over 18 who have previously undergone open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) for ankle fractures.

Not a fit: Patients with allergies to local anesthesia, psychiatric disorders, or severe cardiovascular disease may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to less pain and quicker recovery for patients undergoing ankle surgery.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promising results with WALANT techniques in various surgical settings, indicating potential for success in this application.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Age: \>18
* Previous ORIF for:
* Unimalleolar fractures
* Bimalleolar fractures
* Trimalleolar fractures

Exclusion Criteria:

* Allergy to local anesthesia
* Psychiatric diagnosis including: affect disorders, uncooperative
* Severe cardiovascular disease

Where this trial is running

Kuwait

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Safety IssuesPost Operative PainLocal Anesthetic Complication
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.