Stopped: Researchers left institution
The vast majority of hand surgery performed at the Royal London Hospital is carried out with patients wide-awake. This is either using local or regional (brachial block) anaesthesia. A high proportion of patients find the process stressful and intimidating, which can lead to intraoperative anxiety and increased requirements for anaesthetic dosages. Most of the hand surgery lists are primarily performed by trainees under consultant supervision: conscious, aware, and anxious patients can hinder the degree of training that can take place intra-operatively. Trainees requesting for assistance can further contribute to patient anxiety levels. Virtual Reality (VR) is a relatively new technology that allows total immersion in audio-visual entertainment. Early research work has demonstrated a positive effect of VR at reducing patient anxiety and analgesia requirements during invasive procedures. The investigators hope to conduct a research study whereby adult patients undergoing wide-awake hand surgery under the care of the Department of Plastic Surgery at the Royal London Hospital are given a VR headset (the Oculus Quest 2) and headphones to wear during their operation. The investigators aim to compare their levels of perceived pain, discomfort, anxiety, relaxation and satisfaction with the intraoperative experience to patients who undergo the same operation without VR, i.e. under the conditions of standard care. The investigators will also look at the patients' additional anaesthetic requirements during the operation and physiological markers of anxiety, like heart rate and blood pressure. The operating surgeon will be given the opportunity to answer questions regarding their levels of comfort performing the operation, communicating with their assistant surgeon and calling for help if required. The investigators believe the use of VR will have a positive effect on the patient experience and will improve training opportunities for junior surgeons.
Age range
18 Years
Sex
ALL
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Patient-reported Pain Score
Timeframe: Intraoperative score measured in the immediate postoperative period (<1 day)
Patient-reported Discomfort Score
Timeframe: Intraoperative score measured in the immediate postoperative period (<1 day)
Patient-reported Anxiety Score
Timeframe: Intraoperative score measured in the immediate postoperative period (<1 day)
Patient-reported Relaxation Score
Timeframe: Intraoperative score measured in the immediate postoperative period (<1 day)
Patient-reported Satisfaction Score
Timeframe: Intraoperative score measured in the immediate postoperative period (<1 day)