I have posted a pdf version of our recently published (Anesthesia & Analgesia, 2016) article entitled, “Estimated Maximal Safe Dosages of Tumescent Lidocaine.”
Click here for the full PDF version of the article.
Tumescent.Org is an informational website intended to provide information about Tumescent Local Anesthesia (TLA) including history of local anesthesia, books and articles on local anesthesia, current applications, as well as recent and on-going research.
Tumescent lidocaine anesthesia (TLA) was developed 30 years ago to allow successful liposuction procedures totally using local anesthesia. In decades since, Jeffrey A. Klein, MD, has expanded his knowledge of TLA so that it could potentially be used for other surgical procedures and to deliver new treatments for painful conditions.
Dr. Klein shared his experience with TLA Sunday when he presented the Eugene J. Van Scott Award for Innovative Therapy of the Skin and Phillip Frost Leadership Lecture, “Tumescent Drug Delivery: Lidocaine and Beyond.”
Read full article...
Download the PDF version of Dr. Klein's presentation at the AAD
BACKGROUND: Tumescent lidocaine anesthesia consists of subcutaneous injection of relatively large volumes (up to 4 L or more) of dilute lidocaine (≤1 g/L) and epinephrine (≤1 mg/L). Although tumescent lidocaine anesthesia is used for an increasing variety of surgical procedures, the maximum safe dosage is unknown. Our primary aim in this study was to measure serum lidocaine concentrations after subcutaneous administration of tumescent lidocaine with and without liposuction. Our hypotheses were that even with large doses (i.e., >30 mg/kg), serum lidocaine concentrations would be below levels associated with mild toxicity and that the concentration-time profile would be lower after liposuction than without liposuction.
METHODS: Volunteers participated in 1 to 2 infiltration studies without liposuction and then one study with tumescent liposuction totally by local anesthesia. Serum lidocaine concentrations were measured at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 24 hours after each tumescent lidocaine infiltration. Area under the curve (AUC∞) of the serum lidocaine concentration-time profiles and peak serum lidocaine concentrations (Cmax) were determined with and without liposuction. For any given milligram per kilogram dosage, the probability that Cmax >6 μg/mL, the threshold for mild lidocaine toxicity was estimated using tolerance interval analysis.
RESULTS: In 41 tumescent infiltration procedures among 14 volunteer subjects, tumescent lidocaine dosages ranged from 19.2 to 52 mg/kg. Measured serum lidocaine concentrations were all <6 μg/mL over the 24-hour study period. AUC∞s with liposuction were significantly less than those without liposuction (P = 0.001). The estimated risk of lidocaine toxicity without liposuction at a dose of 28 mg/kg and with liposuction at a dose of 45 mg/kg was ≤1 per 2000.
CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary estimates for maximum safe dosages of tumescent lidocaine are 28 mg/kg without liposuction and 45 mg/kg with liposuction. As a result of delayed systemic absorption, these dosages yield serum lidocaine concentrations below levels associated with mild toxicity and are a nonsignificant risk of harm to patients. (Anesth Analg 2016;122:1350–9)
Dr. Jeffrey Klein explains the theoretical concepts relating to tumescent antibiotic delivery and demonstrates the technique using SubQKath cannulas.
Jeffrey Klein MD shares his expertise in tumescent lidocaine local anesthesia of the abdomen using a Klein peristaltic pump and Monty infiltration cannulas.
News
There is currently a shortage of sterile 0.9% Saline for IV infusion in 1 liter plastic IV bags. This shortage affects surgical procedures that use tumescent local anesthesia. The FDA is working to alleviate this shortage. Learn more here:
FDA updates on saline drug shortage
Articles
Download the FDA approved insert for Lidocaine Hydrochloride and Epinephrine Injection, USP For Infiltration and Nerve Block.
FDA 2010 Approved Lidocaine Epinephrine Labeling
Books
Preface
The scientific and clinical development of Xylocaine has been as remarkable as it has been rapid, Synthesized
only as recently as 1943, it is currently regarded as one of the safest and most reliable of the local anesthetics that are in common use today.
Articles
The complete collection of documents containing the data upon which the FDA based its official 7mg/kg maximum recommended dosage for lidocaine with epinephrine for infiltration local anesthesia (obtained under the Freedom of Information Act).
FDA Lidocaine Analysis Documents
