Comparison of Room Temperature and Warmed Local Anesthetic Solution for Tumescent Liposuction

Abstract

The tumescent technique of local anesthesia has been accepted as the standard of care for liposuction surgery. Large volumes of a dilute solution of lidocaine, epinephrine, sodium bicarbonate, and triamcinolone are infused into the subcutaneous fat. The technique eliminates the need for general anesthesia and provides greater safety and improved esthetic results. A study was designed to evaluate the benefit of warming of the local anesthetic to 40 degrees C prior to infiltration and thus to determine whether warming provides improved patient comfort. A double-blind randomized cross-over study was performed in 16 patients undergoing outpatient tumescent liposuction. Pain scores were determined using a visual analog pain scale. The mean pain score was significantly lower for areas treated with the 40 degrees C warmed solution. Warming of local anesthetic solution for tumescent liposuction significantly reduces pain as perceived by the patient and is recommended in all tumescent liposuction surgery.