Tumescent Liposuction
Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009The Tumescent Liposuction Procedure
Cannulas have now been miniaturized so that they can be inserted through much smaller openings in the skin. A number of small holes may be placed in the skin around the treated area (instead of few larger holes). The cannulas are inserted through these small openings and the fat is removed.
The term “tumescent” means swollen and firm, which is how this technique prepares the fatty tissue for removal. A solution of lidocaine (a local anesthetic) is injected into the fatty area along with a solution to constrict the blood vessels (typically epinephrine). The lidocaine is absorbed by the fatty tissue and causes the tissues to become swollen and firm. A large area of fatty tissue can be numbed using this technique, allowing for a large area of liposuction to be performed while the patient is under local anesthesia.
The epinephrine causes the blood vessels to constrict or shrink in the area of the procedure, which has a number of advantages. The vasoconstriction limits blood loss during the procedure and provides for a longer-lasting numbing effect, because there is less blood flow to carry the lidocaine away from the area of the procedure.
After tumescent liposuction, the area of the liposuction procedure may stay numb for 36 hours without further injection of lidocaine or other pain killers.