Local anesthetics in liposuction: considerations for new practice advisory guidelines to improve patient safety

• Published in: Plastic and reconstructive surgery (1963) Vol. 131; no. 5; p. 820e
• Main Authors: Pace, Meredith M, Chatterjee, Abhishek, Merrill, Douglas G, Stotland, Mitchell A, Ridgway, Emily B
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.05.2013
• Subjects: Ambulatory Surgical Procedures - standards; Anesthesia, Local - standards; Anesthetics, Local - administration & dosage; Anesthetics, Local - adverse effects; Anesthetics, Local - pharmacokinetics; Bupivacaine - administration & dosage; Bupivacaine - adverse effects; Bupivacaine - pharmacokinetics; Humans; Lidocaine - administration & dosage; Lidocaine - adverse effects; Lidocaine - pharmacokinetics; Lipectomy - standards; Patient Safety; Practice Guidelines as Topic
• ISSN: 1529-4242
• DOI: 10.1097/PRS.0b013e3182879f9f

The Practice Advisory on Liposuction published by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons provides a thorough review of anesthetic techniques and guidelines for surgeons who perform liposuction. However, there is evidence to support several changes to the anesthetic infiltrate guidelines that will improve patient safety. These proposed recommendations will have the most impact on patients undergoing office-based procedures, where dedicated anesthesia providers may not be present, but they should also guide practice in both ambulatory care centers and hospitals. The primary foci of the proposed changes include restrictions on bupivacaine use and creation of lidocaine concentration guidelines.