Plastics

Operative Report:
1. Carpal Tunnel Release:

The patient was identified in the holding area and the operative sites were marked. He was brought to the operating room and placed supine. The extremity was prepped and draped in standard sterile fashion. A preoperative time-out was taken to ensure the patient's identity, the operative procedure, as well as the operative location.

Local anesthesia was achieved with 1% lidocaine mixed with 0.5% Marcaine. The arm was exsanguinated with an esmarch bandage, and the well padded tourniquet was inflated to 250 mmHg.   A longitudinal incision was made over the transverse carpal ligament at the level just distal of the volar wrist crease, in line with the 3rd webspace. We dissected through the subcutaneous tissue and palmar fascia, and the palmaris brevis muscle fibers.  Care was taken to protect the ulnar neurovascular bundle in Guyon's canal.  Next we identified the transverse carpal ligament which was divided longitudinally from the palmar fat pad and proximally into the antebrachial fascia. Complete release was ensured and the wound was irrigated with normal saline. The skin was closed using 4-0 nylon stitch.  

A soft dressing was applied. The tourniquet was released. He tolerated the procedure well. There were no complications. Final instrument count was correct. He left the operating room in stable condition.

Photos

Tourniquet: finger / forearm / arm
Drain: Type of drain and placement
Sutures: List all layers
Dressing: What's preferred?

Anatomy: Pertinent anatomy should be listed

Post-operative care: Include restrictions, splints, etc…

Attending Pearls (Learning points/Pimp Questions):
OR tips: Local w/ sedation. Upper arm tourniquet w/ webrill, tourniquet, foam tape. Uses scalpel only to “scratch” into the carpal tunnel, then scissors to divide proximally/distally. Close w/ 4-0 Nylon.