Tumescent Technique

Tumescent solution was developed by Dr. Klein, an American dermatologist, and was further developed in Germany by Dr. Sattler and Prof. Dr. Mang. It is a solution of local anaesthetic (to block pain), adrenalin (to inhibit bleeding), cortisone (to reduce inflammation) and bicarbonate (as a buffer), diluted with a saline solution which ‘softens’ fat cells and separates the layers of skin mechanically.

When used during liposuction, the area to be operated on is injected until it becomes hard, to enable to fat cells to ‘dissolve’. When used for breast operations, face and/or browlifts, the most important effect is the separation of the layers and the inhibition of bleeding, and correspondingly a smaller quantity is used. Depending on the patient’s body weight, a limit of 6 to 7.5 litres of tumescent solution should not be exceeded for liposuction procedures. In greater quantities, the risks associated with tumescence increase exponentially, however up to this limit studies show that the method is extremely safe, provided it is not combined with other methods of anaesthesia, especially not full anaesthetic or twilight sleep.

The possible risks of a circulatory load and the build up of methaemaglobin (reduction in the blood’s capacity to absorb oxygen) may be effectively removed by a 24 hour observation period in a clinic. Smaller quantities of up to four liters can be administered without any problem, and observation is not necessary.