Nik Jagodzinski offers a full range of surgical treatments for all hand and wrist trauma and elective conditions. Being an acute NHS trust offering most branches of medical and surgical specialties, North Devon District Hospital is fully equipped with the latest theatres, implants and surgical technology. We also offer modern, friendly wards and clinics. All patients are considered for treatment as there is a proactive, Consultant-led preoperative assessment team and full intensive care and high dependency back-up for when rare complications arise. These are very infrequently required for hand and wrist surgery, but it is reassuring having them on-site without having to be transferred by ambulance for complex medical or high dependency care. Most dedicated private hospitals do not have these facilities available on site.
All surgical treatment options available will be thoroughly discussed with you, including benefits and risks. Based on this, a shared decision will be made between you and Nik Jagodzinski as to the best course of action for you, or potential options for you to decide upon later. Anaesthetic options will also be discussed, including the potential for using the WALANT technique. The costs of the procedures will be advised to you by Nik’s secretary, Kate, within a few days of the consultation so you can make a final decision.
Very occasionally, surgery may be offered for the same day as the initial consultation for some conditions that can be performed under WALANT in the clinic Minor Ops Theatre. This will be patient and condition specific, and also depend on the availability of the theatre, staff and kit. Some patients who travel a long way to see Nik Jagodzinski have requested this in advance to minimise travel. It will never be possible to guarantee this as the diagnosis and treatment options will need to be confirmed and discussed with Nik in clinic, but the potential could be explored in advance via Kate if required.
The majority of surgery will be booked for a later date. If General or Regional anaesthesia are required then you will also require a pre-operative assessment of your general health at a date prior to your surgery. Occasionally this can be performed over the phone, but sometimes blood tests and other health checks are required so you will need to attend in person. If local anaesthetic or WALANT surgery is offered, you will not usually require a pre-operative assessment.
About Walant Surgery
WALANT surgery, an acronym for Wide Awake Local Anesthesia No Tourniquet, is an innovative surgical approach that is employed in a variety of procedures, with a particular focus on hand and wrist surgeries. This technique can be utilized for surgeries throughout the body. The WALANT method enables patients to undergo surgery without the application of a tourniquet to stem bleeding, eliminating the requirement for general and regional anaesthesia, or sedation.
Known also as Wide Awake Hand Surgery, this approach ensures that both the patient and the limb remain fully awake during the operation, yet the patient experiences no pain. Mr Nik Jagodzinski is a contributing author to several chapters in the globally recognized textbook on WALANT by Prof Don Lalonde, titled “Wide Awake Hand Surgery.” This seminal work has recently released its second edition.
For a more in-depth understanding of the WALANT technique and its benefits, please visit our detailed page about WALANT SURGERY.