PubMed
Articles on Tumescent Anesthesia

The Tumescent Technique: Anesthesia And Modified Liposuction Technique
by Jeffrey Alan Klein, MD
The tumescent technique for liposuction is a new technique that has been developed entirely by dermatologic plastic surgeons. It is a dramatic improvement over the traditional methods that require either general anesthesia or deep intravenous (IV) sedation and narcosis. It is this author’s contention that liposuction by local anesthesia is safer than liposuction by general anesthesia.

Lidocaine Toxicity with Tumescent Liposuction
A Case Report of Probable Drug Interactions
by Jeffrey A. Klein MD and Norma Kassarjdian, MD
We report a case of mild lidocaine toxicity. A reduced rate of lidocaine metabolism following tumescent liposuction may result from an inhibition of cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) by sertraline (Zoloft) and flurazepam (Dalmane).

Tumescent Technique for Regional Anesthesia Permits Lidocaine Doses of 35 mg/kg for Liposuction
by Jeffrey A. Klein, M.D.

The tumescent technique for local anesthesia permits regional local anesthesia of the skin and subcutaneous tissues by direct infiltration. The tumescent technique uses large columns of a dilute anesthetic solution to produce swelling and firmness of targeted areas.

The Tumescent Technique for Liposuction Surgery
Jeffrey A. Klein, M.D.
The tumescent technique of liposuction is a modification of the wet technique. A large volume of very dilute epinephrine is infiltrated into a targeted fat compartment prior to liposuction, producing a swelling and firmness. This tumescence of fat permits an increased accuracy in liposuction and minimizes postsurgical irregularities or rippling of the skin. Epinephrine-induced vasoconstriction minimizes blood loss, bruising, and postoperative soreness.

Tumescent Techhnique for Local Anesthesia Improves Safety in Large Volume Liposuction
by Jeffrey A. Klein, MD
The tumescent technique for local anesthesia improves the safety of large-volume liposuction (≥1500ml) of fat) by virtually eliminating surgical blood loss and by completely eliminating the risks of general anesthesia. Results of two prospective studies of large-volume liposuction using the tumescent technique are reported.