Efficacy of tumescent local anesthesia with variable lidocaine concentration in 3430 consecutive cases of liposuction.
BACKGROUND
Lidocaine toxicity is a potential complication related to using tumescent local anesthesia (TLA) as the exclusive form of pain management in surgical procedures.


OBJECTIVE
We sought to determine the minimum concentration of lidocaine in the tumescent solution required to provide adequate anesthesia in patients undergoing liposuction using TLA exclusively.


METHODS
Liposuction using TLA exclusively was performed in 3430 procedures by the same surgeon. The initial concentration of 1000 mg/L lidocaine in the tumescent solution was gradually reduced to find the minimum required for adequate anesthesia.


RESULTS
Adequate anesthesia was achieved using a lidocaine concentration of 500 mg/L saline in all areas treated and 400 mg/L saline for most of the areas treated.


CONCLUSIONS
Data are based on the specific TLA technique used by the same surgeon. Lidocaine serum levels were not analyzed.


CONCLUSIONS
For patients undergoing liposuction using TLA exclusively, the concentration of lidocaine in the normal saline solution required for adequate anesthesia is 400 mg/L for most body areas and 500 mg/L for some sensitive areas.
Habbema
Louis
L
Medisch Centrum 't Gooi, Bussum, and Erasmus MC Department of Dermatology, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. loek@mcgooi.nl
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000772:Anesthesia, Local / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D015187:Lipectomy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055815:Young Adult
D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D008012:Lidocaine