One Stop Wide Awake surgery

One Stop Wide Awake (OSWA) is a surgical model which was initially developed for hand surgery in the UK and now recognised by the Royal Society of Medicine press. The model centres on complete surgical care within one management stop and with reduced risks on account of avoidance of general anaesthesia, regional anaesthesia, sedation or tourniquets. This approach to surgery is particularly cost-effective and efficient. It enables complex procedures such as for Dupuytren's contracture to be performed as outpatient procedures under local anaesthesia. With the impending changes in UK healthcare commissioning and the evolution from Primary Care Trusts to Clinical Commissioning Groups from 2013 this model of surgery is likely to be increasingly important; and may secure the funding of some nhs surgical services.