tumescent anesthesia (CHU de Poitiers)

Tumescent anesthesia is a specialized local anesthetic technique involving the subcutaneous infiltration of large volumes of a highly diluted solution of a local anesthetic, typically lidocaine hydrochloride, often combined with a vasoconstrictor such as epinephrine. This method induces a state of tissue tumescence (swelling and firmness), which facilitates regional anesthesia and provides a bloodless surgical field. In clinical practice, it is widely used in dermatologic procedures, including liposuction and the management of procedural pain during photodynamic therapy (PDT) for conditions like actinic keratosis. The primary mechanism of action is the blockade of voltage-gated sodium channels by lidocaine, which prevents the initiation and conduction of nerve impulses in the treated area.

Other names

tumescent local anesthesiaTLA