biostudies-literatureUnknown18(6)Frazier MC<h4>Background</h4>Patient return-to-driving following minor hand surgery is unknown. Through daily text message surveys, we sought to determine return-to-driving after minor hand surgery and the factors that influence return-to-driving.<h4>Methods</h4>One hundred five subjects undergoing minor hand surgery received daily text messaging surveys postoperatively to assess: (1) if they drove the day before and if so; (2) whether they wore a cast, sling, or splint. Additional patient-, procedure-, and driving-related data were collected.<h4>Results</h4>More than half of subjects, 54 out of 105, returned to driving by the end of postoperative day #1. While patient-related factors had no effect on return-to-driving, significant differences were seen in anesthesia type, procedure laterality, driving assistance, and distance. Return-to-driving was significantly later for subjects who had general anesthetic compared to wide awake local anesthetic with no tourniquet (4 ± 4 days vs 1 ± 3 days, <i>P</i> = 0.020), as well as for bilateral procedures versus unilateral procedures (5 ± 5 days vs 1 ± 3 days, <i>P</i> = 0.046). Lack of another driver and driving on highways led to earlier return-to-driving (<i>P</i> = 0.040 and, <i>P</i> = 0.005, respectively).<h4>Conclusions</h4>Most patients rapidly return to driving after minor hand surgery. Use of general anesthetic and bilateral procedures may delay return-to-driving. Confidential real-time text-based surveys can provide valuable information on postoperative return-to-driving and other patient behaviors.Hand (New York, N.Y.)918-924https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC10470232biostudies-literatureOn the Road Again: Return to Driving Following Minor Hand Surgery.PMC10470232Apel PJLocklear TMHackley DTBadger AEFrazier MCfalseOn the Road Again: Return to Driving Following Minor Hand Surgery.<h4>Background</h4>Patient return-to-driving following minor hand surgery is unknown. Through daily text message surveys, we sought to determine return-to-driving after minor hand surgery and the factors that influence return-to-driving.<h4>Methods</h4>One hundred five subjects undergoing minor hand surgery received daily text messaging surveys postoperatively to assess: (1) if they drove the day before and if so; (2) whether they wore a cast, sling, or splint. Additional patient-, procedure-, and driving-related data were collected.<h4>Results</h4>More than half of subjects, 54 out of 105, returned to driving by the end of postoperative day #1. While patient-related factors had no effect on return-to-driving, significant differences were seen in anesthesia type, procedure laterality, driving assistance, and distance. Return-to-driving was significantly later for subjects who had general anesthetic compared to wide awake local anesthetic with no tourniquet (4 ± 4 days vs 1 ± 3 days, <i>P</i> = 0.020), as well as for bilateral procedures versus unilateral procedures (5 ± 5 days vs 1 ± 3 days, <i>P</i> = 0.046). Lack of another driver and driving on highways led to earlier return-to-driving (<i>P</i> = 0.040 and, <i>P</i> = 0.005, respectively).<h4>Conclusions</h4>Most patients rapidly return to driving after minor hand surgery. Use of general anesthetic and bilateral procedures may delay return-to-driving. Confidential real-time text-based surveys can provide valuable information on postoperative return-to-driving and other patient behaviors.2023-01-01T00:00:00Z2023 Sep2026-04-17T15:02:04.896Z2025-04-07T12:29:14.486ZS-EPMC104702323524940610.1177/15589447221077363