The word “tumescent” means swollen and firm.
In “Tumescent Liposuction” a large volume of very dilute lidocaine (local anesthetic) and epinephrine (capillary constrictor) is injected into subcutaneous fat, and the targeted tissue becomes swollen and firm, or tumescent.
The tumescent liposuction technique is a method that provides local anesthesia to large volumes of subcutaneous fat and thus permits liposuction totally by local anesthesia.
The tumescent liposuction technique eliminates both the need for general anesthesia and need for IV narcotics and sedatives.
The tumescent technique for liposuction:
1) Provides local anesthesia,
2) Constricts capillaries and prevents surgical blood loss.
3) Provides fluid to the body by subcutaneous injection so that no IV fluids are needed.