Intermediate
Technical
IVT
Tumescent Anesthesia
Local anesthetic technique using large volumes of dilute lidocaine with epinephrine to achieve tissue distension and hemostasis.
Full Definition
Tumescent anesthesia involves the infiltration of large volumes of dilute local anesthetic solution, typically containing lidocaine (0.05-0.1%), epinephrine (1:1,000,000), and sodium bicarbonate in normal saline. This technique causes tissue swelling (tumescence), provides prolonged anesthesia, and achieves excellent hemostasis. It is particularly valuable in dermatologic surgery for large excisions, allowing procedures that would otherwise require general anesthesia to be performed under local anesthesia.
Usage
Usage note: Specify concentration and additives when documenting tumescent anesthesia administration.
In Context
- "Tumescent anesthesia was administered to the entire surgical field before beginning the wide excision." — Operative report
- "The patient tolerated the procedure well under tumescent anesthesia without additional sedation." — Post-operative note
Also known as
tumescent technique
tumescent infiltration
Contrasted with
field block
nerve block
Don't confuse with
local anesthetic tumescence
hydrodissection