双侧大腿环形吸脂术中肿胀麻醉利多卡因用量分析

目的:探讨局部肿胀麻醉技术下进行双侧大腿环形吸脂手术中利多卡因用量及是否存在中毒反应。方法:148例全部为女性,年龄19～56岁,平均(30.01±7.91)岁,肥胖指数13.43～43.59,平均23.37±6.82。采用左大腿前、右大腿前、左大腿后、右大腿后侧四个部位环形序贯吸脂术,统计手术中肿胀液的注射量、利多卡因用量以及吸出脂肪和肿胀液数量。连续观察术中、术后病人的临床反应和生命体征。结果:肿胀液注入皮下脂肪数量为3000～9000ml,平均(6009.80±1482.51)ml。吸出皮下脂肪数量1500～7000ml,平均(3105.74±1068.24)ml。术中抽出肿胀液200～3300ml,平均(1312.50±549.92)ml,约占注入量的5%～41.67%,平均(21.84±6.95)%。注入皮下脂肪之利多卡因剂量为27.69～88.42mg/kg,平均(59.45±13.62)mg/kg。术中出血极少,生命体征稳定,术中及术后未见眩晕、耳鸣、幻听、金属味、口周麻木、定向障碍、抽搐、惊厥等利多卡因药物中毒的临床症状。术后站立包扎时个别患者有体位性低血压表现,平卧即可恢复正常。术后大腿围径和形态均有不同程度改善,效果满意。结论:在双侧大腿环形吸脂手术中,采用分部位序贯吸脂方法,可以有效避免利多卡因中毒发生,达到安全有效的结果。     

Plasma lidocaine levels and risks after liposuction with tumescent anaesthesia

BACKGROUND: It is common today to use tumescent anaesthesia with large doses of lidocaine for liposuction. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate lidocaine plasma levels and objective and subjective symptoms during 20 h after tumescent anaesthesia with approximately 35 mg per kg bodyweight of lidocaine for abdominal liposuction. METHODS: Three litres of buffered solution of 0.08% lidocaine with epinephrine was infiltrated subcutaneously over the abdomen in eight female patients during monitored intravenous (i.v.) light sedation. Plasma levels of lidocaine and signs of subjective and objective symptoms were recorded every 3 h for 20 h after liposuction. RESULTS: Lidocaine 33.2 +/- 1.8 mg/kg was given at a rate of 116 +/- 11 ml/min. Peak plasma levels (2.3 +/- 0.63 microg/ml) of lidocaine occurred after 5-17 h. No correlation was found between peak levels and dose per kg bodyweight or total amount of lidocaine infiltrated. One patient experienced tinnitus after 14 h when a plasma level of 3.3 microg/ml was recorded. CONCLUSION: Doses of lidocaine up to 35 mg/kg were sufficient for abdominal liposuction using the tumescent technique and gave no fluid overload or toxic symptoms in eight patients, but with this dose there is still a risk of subjective symptoms in association with the peak level of lidocaine that may appear after discharge.     

吸脂术中大剂量使用利多卡因的血药浓度监测及意义

目的 探讨作为局部麻醉剂的利多卡因在肿胀法脂肪抽吸术中的有限剂量是多少，既能达到良好的镇痛效果，又有安全地使用而不产生毒副作用。方法 对１４例大剂量使用低浓度利多卡因作为局麻药的脂肪抽吸术的术中和术后血清利多卡因浓度以免疫荧光测定法进行了动态监测，作出其时间－浓度曲线，并与临床表现相对照。结果 在此类手术中，利多卡因在０．１ｍｇ／ｍｌ的浓度下，加入１／１百万￣１／２百万肾上腺素，其用量可达３５ｍｇ     

吸脂术中大剂量使用利多卡因的血药浓度监测及意义

目的探讨作为局部麻醉剂的利多卡因在肿胀法脂肪抽吸术中的极限剂量是多少,既能达到良好的镇痛效果,又能安全地使用而不产生毒副作用。方法对１４例大剂量使用低浓度利多卡因作为局麻药的脂肪抽吸术的术中和术后血清利多卡因浓度以免疫荧光测定法进行了动态监测,作出其时间浓度曲线,并与临床表现相对照。结果在此类手术中,利多卡因在０１ｍｇ／ｍｌ的浓度下,加入１／１百万～１／２百万肾上腺素,其用量可达３５ｍｇ／ｋｇ体重而血清高峰浓度仍在安全范围内,无中毒症状,既可减轻病人的疼痛,又可减少出血,提高安全性,增加脂肪抽吸量。结论本研究为肿胀法吸脂术中大剂量使用利多卡因的临床实践提供了理论依据。     

Prilocaine Plasma Levels and Methemoglobinemia in Patients Undergoing Tumescent Liposuction Involving Less Than 2,000 ml

Background As a reaction to reported adverse outcomes after lidocaine infiltration in tumescent liposuction, prilocaine has gained increasing popularity. Previous studies investigating large-volume liposuction procedures found maximum prilocaine levels and methemoglobinemia up to 12 h postoperatively, suggesting that liposuction should be performed as a hospital procedure only. The aim of this study was to determine prilocaine plasma levels and methemoglobinemia in patients after low- to average-volume liposuction for the purpose of defining the required postoperative surveillance period.Methods In 25 patients undergoing liposuction involving less than 2,000 ml prilocaine levels and methemoglobinemia were measured over 4 h postoperatively. Liposuction was conducted after the tumescent technique using a 0.05% hypotonic prilocaine solution with epinephrine.Results The average prilocaine dose was 6.8 + 0.8 mg/kg, with a maximum dose of 15 mg/kg. The peak prilocaine plasma level of 0.34 g/ml occurred 3 h after the infiltration. The mean methemoglobinemia at this time point was 0.65%. Only one patient demonstrated a slightly elevated methemoglobin level of 1.4%, but lacked any clinical signs of methemoglobinemia. The prilocaine recovery in the aspirate averaged 36 ± 4%, indicating that a large amount is removed by suctioning.Conclusions The patients did not experience high plasma levels of prilocaine or methemoglobinemia undergoing liposuction involving less than 2,000 ml using a 0.05% hypotonic prilocaine solution. The authors therefore conclude that this procedure can be performed safely with a monitoring period of 12 h.     

肿胀吸脂术疗效与并发症分析

目的　探讨肿胀吸脂术的疗效与并发症的预防。方法　应用肿胀技术对 2 69例进行腹部、大腿等部位吸脂术 ,利多卡因总量最大 3 0 0 0mg ,43mg kg ,吸脂最大量为 475 0ml。结果　本组有术后吸脂部位不平、血清肿等并发症 ,但没有出现利多卡因中毒及肺栓塞等严重并发症 ,大部分受术者对术后效果满意。结论　肿胀吸脂术是一种安全有效的减肥方法。术中需注意操作技巧 ,以预防或减少并发症的发生     

When One Liter Does Not Equal 1000 Milliliters: Implications for the Tumescent Technique

BACKGROUND: Tumescent anesthesia has revolutionized the practice of liposuction. Inherent to the tumescent technique is the use of large volumes of dilute solutions of lidocaine with epinephrine instilled into subcutaneous fat deposits. Precise formulation of the tumescent anesthesia is essential to liposuction technique. OBJECTIVES: To determine the actual volumes of fluids contained in intravenous (IV) 1 L bags of saline used for tumescent anesthesia, to calculate volumes supplied in 50 cc stock solutions of 1% lidocaine, and to measure the amount of fluid retained by peristalic pump tubing used for infiltration. METHODS: The amount of saline contained in fifteen 1 L saline bags from three different manufacturers was calculated using graduated cylinder methodology. The volume of tumescent anesthesia retained by peristaltic pump tubing was calculated by expelling the contents of the filler tubing and measuring it. The actual amount of 1% lidocaine contained within fifteen 50 ml "stock" 1% lidocaine bottles from different manufacturers and with different lot numbers was calculated by transferring the contents into graduated cylinders. RESULTS: One liter IV bags of physiologic saline contained an average volume of 1051 ml (range 1033-1069 ml). The 50 ml bottles of 1% lidocaine with epinephrine contain an average of 54 ml of anesthetic (range 52.5-55 ml). Infusion tubing for use with peristaltic pumps may retain 46-146 ml of tumescent anesthesia. CONCLUSION: One liter IV bags of normal saline contain more than 1 L, having an average volume of 1051 ml. Common methods of preparation of 0.05% lidocaine with 1:1,000,000 epinephrine and sodium bicarbonate can increase the total amount of fluid in the tumescent anesthesia to 1112 ml for 0.05% solutions and preparation of a 0.1% solution contains an average volume of 1162 ml. The fluid contained in each bag may be increased over labeling by as much as 11-16%. Final concentrations of lidocaine in tumescent anesthesia may be reduced due to extra fluids. A 0.05% lidocaine solution may have a final lidocaine concentration of 0.045% and a 0.1% lidocaine solution may have an actual concentration of 0.086%. Lidocaine concentrations may be reduced by as much as 10-14%. Extra anesthesia fluid is also contained within stock 50 ml bottles of 1% lidocaine. Dermatologic surgeons should be aware of extra fluid possibly contained within tumescent anesthetic preparation, be aware of the extra anesthesia supplied in standard 1% lidocaine bottles, and possible decreased concentration of lidocaine within the final tumescent anesthesia.     

腰腹部吸脂大容量肿胀麻醉安全性分析

目的:探讨以肿胀麻醉技术一次性吸出3000ml以上脂肪的手术安全性。方法:73例女性,年龄19～62岁,一次性吸出腰腹部脂肪3000～7700ml。统计手术中肿胀液的注射量、利多卡因用量。连续观察术中、术后病人的临床反应和生命体征。结果:肿胀液注射量4000～11500ml,利多卡因用量38.10～92.00mg/kg体重。术中麻醉效果满意,出血少,未见血压降低、呼吸困难、头痛、耳鸣等症状。术后发生体位性低血压11例,发生率15.07%,平卧和补液后即恢复。受术者体形均有明显改善,多数患者体重下降,效果满意。结论:在肿胀麻醉技术下一次性吸出大量腰腹部皮下脂肪是有一定风险的,术后应常规留院观察12h以上。     

吸脂术中大剂量使用利多卡因的血药浓度监测及意义

目的探讨作为局部麻醉剂的利多卡因在肿胀法脂肪抽吸术中的极限剂量是多少,既能达到良好的镇痛效果,又能安全地使用而不产生毒副作用。方法对14例大剂量使用低浓度利多卡因作为局麻药的脂肪抽吸术的术中和术后血清利多卡因浓度以免疫荧光测定法进行了动态监测,作出其时间-浓度曲线,并与临床表现相对照。结果在此类手术中,利多卡因在0.1mg/ml的浓度下,加入1/1百万～1/2百万肾上腺素,其用量可达35mg/kg 体重而血清高峰浓度仍在安全范围内,无中毒症状,既可减轻病人的疼痛,又可减少出血,提高安全性,增加脂肪抽吸量。结论本研究为肿胀法吸脂术中大剂量使用利多卡因的临床实践提供了理论依据。     

An improved lidocaine infusion protocol for cardiac surgical patients

A new protocol for lidocaine administration was tested to determine whether it would provide higher free and total serum lidocaine concentrations during and after weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), without leading to accumulation toxicity, than those resulting from a conventional protocol (1.5 mg/kg loading dose bolus + 2 mg/min infusion rate). Ten elective adult cardiac surgical patients were studied. Ten seconds prior to aortic cross-clamp release (0 min), each patient received a lidocaine bolus (1.5 mg/kg) and simultaneous lidocaine infusion (5 mg/min for 1 hour, followed by 2 mg/min for 23 hours). Weaning occurred 20 to 30 minutes after cross-clamp release. Lidocaine levels were determined from arterial blood samples at 0, 10, 20, 30, and 60 minutes, and at 2, 4, and 24 hours postcross-clamp release. Compared with the conventional protocol, the new protocol showed a significant increase in mean total lidocaine concentration (P less than or equal to 0.02) at 30 and 60 minutes, and a significant increase in mean free lidocaine concentration (P less than or equal to 0.005) at 20, 30, and 60 minutes. No patient had toxic levels at 24 hours. Results of this study suggest that in patients undergoing cardiac surgery, a "5 + 2" mg/min infusion protocol is safe and superior to a conventional protocol in achieving therapeutic serum levels of free and total lidocaine.     

Tumescent technique for local anesthesia

Tumescent local anesthesia was originally used in liposuction but is also carried out for other plastic, cosmetic, dermatological procedures and for surgery of the venous system, often in outpatients. For this purpose, large amounts of fluids containing diluted lidocaine or prilocaine and epinephrine are infused subcutaneously. In this review of the literature, this technique is assessed in view of potential anesthesiological complications such as intoxication with lidocaine, prilocaine, overdosage of epinephrine or overload with fluids. While originally a lidocaine dosage of 35 mg/kg b.w. was considered to be safe, dosages were then increased to 55 mg/kg b. w. and even 90 mg/kg b. w. without data showing the safety of such high doses. Published data of plasma concentrations were obtained from small numbers of patients, showing that the concentrations were below 5 microg/ml which is considered the nontoxic range. The maximum levels were observed after 4 - 12 hours, if epinephrine was used. In a few patients, however, the values had not yet begun to decrease at the end of the 23 hours observation period. Replacing lidocaine by prilocaine shifts the problem of toxicity to that of the formation of methemoglobine, which can reach levels of more than 10 %. Data about effects of high-dose epinephrine in the literature are sparse, but tachycardia, arrhythmias and hypertension remain a major concern. Although fluids are applied subcutaneously, an overload with fluids may occur. Cases of lung edema have been reported, however, hypovolemia caused by a loss of fluid into the third space cannot be excluded. Because of these possible complications, tumescent local anesthesia should be employed in outpatients with great care. Patients should be monitored during the procedure and for a sufficient period of time thereafter by adequately trained staff. Patients with cardiac or pulmonary risk factors should not undergo tumescent local anesthesia.     

瑞芬太尼复合咪达唑仑在肿胀麻醉法脂肪抽吸术中的应用

目的观察瑞芬太尼复合咪达唑仑用于肿胀麻醉法脂肪抽吸术中的镇静镇痛效果。方法选择肿胀麻醉法行腹部脂肪抽吸术的患者30例,ASAⅠ～Ⅱ级。所有患者在肿胀麻醉前5min静脉推注咪达唑仑0.3mg/Kg和瑞芬太尼负荷剂量0.6μg/Kg(推注时间30s),之后静脉泵入瑞芬太尼0.1～0.3μg/Kg·min维持。记录患者在麻醉前(T0)、注射肿胀液前即刻(T1)、注射肿胀液时(T2)、脂肪抽吸时(T3)、手术结束时(T4)、术后30min时(T5)的Ramsay镇静评分和VAS痛觉模拟评分;观察患者在麻醉和手术过程中的血流动力学改变以及不良事件发生情况。结果所有患者在T1至T5时,VAS痛觉模拟评分均小于5分。与T0比较,T1时患者Ramsay镇静评分、心率(HR)、收缩压(SBP)、舒张压(DBP)均升高(P<0.05),呼吸频率(RR)降低(P<0.05);T2至T5时,上述指标无明显改变(P>0.05)。本组中有2例患者出现嗜睡和呼吸抑制(RR<8次/分),血氧饱和度(SpO2)最低降至90%,经指令性通气和减少瑞芬太尼用量后SpO2迅速恢复。结论瑞芬太尼复合咪达唑仑用于肿胀麻醉法脂肪抽吸术,能起到良好的镇静镇痛作用,术后恢复时间短,适合在日间脂肪抽吸术中推广应用。     

右美托咪定复合舒芬太尼清醒镇静在脂肪抽吸术中的应用

目的探讨右美托咪定复合舒芬太尼应用于脂肪抽吸术中清醒镇静的有效性和安全性。方法自2018年1月至2018年6月,共40例行脂肪抽吸术的女性患者入选(ASAⅠ～Ⅱ级)。镇静诱导予以右美托咪定1μg/Kg作为负荷量,时间10 min,然后持续输注右美托咪定每小时0.4μg/Kg。肿胀液注射前静注舒芬太尼0.2μg/Kg,术中手术刺激患者有体动时,追加舒芬太尼5～10μg。术毕前5～10 min停止药物输注。分别记录镇静前、静注右美托咪定15、30和60 min以及术毕时的血流动力学和呼吸的变化,Ramsay镇静分级。观察有无低氧血症、呼吸暂停、心动过缓等并发症。记录总麻醉时间和各药物用量。结果 40例患者均获得满意的镇静效果,Ramsay镇静分级2～4级。镇静后各时间点的患者心率均低于镇静前(P<0.05)。与镇静前相比,镇静后15 min收缩压、舒张压下降明显(P<0.05),而镇静后其他时间点的收缩压、舒张压与镇静前相比无明显统计学差异(P>0.05)。镇静后的呼吸、SpO2无明显下降(P>0.05)。术中有2例患者出现不同程度呼吸抑制,2例患者出现窦性心动过缓,无严重不良反应发生。麻醉时间为(168±58) min,右美托咪定、舒芬太尼的用量分别为(126±36)μg和(15±5)μg。结论右美托咪定复合舒芬太尼可安全应用于脂肪抽吸术中的清醒镇静。     

Tumeszenz-Lokalanästhesie bei proktologischen Eingriffen

INTRODUCTION: Tumescent local anesthesia (TLA) was introduced to facilitate liposuction and other procedures mainly in plastic surgery. The aim of our study was to evaluate if this new technique can also be safely applied in proctologic surgery. METHODS: The following 50 proctologic procedures were performed using TLA as day surgery cases: perianal vein thrombectomy (n=15), subanodermal fistula resection (n=7), anal polyp resection (n=7), fissurectomy ( n=6), perianal abscess revision (n=6), excision of anal skin tags (n=3), hemorrhoidectomy for thrombosed piles (n=3), intersphincteric fistula extirpation (n=1), pilonidal sinus (n=1), and perianal tumor excision (n=1). The subcutaneously infused solution contained 200 ml of Ringer's solution, 50 ml of 2% Mepivacain, and 2.5 ml of epinephrine diluted 1:10,000. RESULTS: During an average application time of 14.3+/-4.9 min, a mean of 93.1+/-40.7 ml tumescent solution was infused. This dosage resulted in complete pain relief after 18.3+/-5.0 min. Local anesthesia was maintained up to 14 h postoperatively, with a mean duration of 6.7+/-1.9 h. Two patients developed moderate hematomas which required no further treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Our pilot study demonstrates that slow infusion tumescent local anesthesia can be widely and safely applied in proctologic surgery and enables the performance of these procedures on an outpatient basis.     

Absorption of lidocaine following subarachnoid and epidural administration

The absorption of lidocaine into the vascular system from the epidural and subarachnoid spaces was determined in 20 patients. Seventy-five milligrams (1.5 ml of a 5% solution) of lidocaine was administered intrathecally to 10 patients for spinal anesthesia and 75 mg (3.75 ml of a 2% solution) was injected epidurally. Venous plasma levels of lidocaine were determined at 2, 5, 10, 15, and 30 minutes after subarachnoid or epidural injection. No significant differences existed between the maximum venous plasma concentrations of lidocaine following epidural injection (0.41 +/- 0.07 microgram/ml) and following subarachnoid injection (0.32 +/- 0.07 microgram/ml). However, the rate of vascular absorption of lidocaine from the subarachnoid space was significantly slower than from the epidural space. By 2, 5, and 10 minutes after injection, venous plasma concentrations of lidocaine were significantly higher following epidural injection than they were after subarachnoid injection. This variation was not attributable to differences in blood pressure folloiwng injection. The differential rate of absorption is probably related to the anatomical arrangement of the venous plexuses in the epidural and subarachnoid spaces.     

Comparison of lidocaine with and without bupivacaine for local dental anesthesia.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of a combination of bupivacaine and lidocaine and that of lidocaine alone for local dental anesthesia. First, on different days, healthy volunteers were given 2% lidocaine with 1/80,000 epinephrine or 2% lidocaine with 1/80,000 epinephrine + 0.5% bupivacaine, after which pain was produced with a pulp tester. No difference was found in the time until onset of anesthetic effect between the preparations. However, the duration of anesthetic effect was longer with both lidocaine and bupivacaine than with lidocaine alone. Next, patients undergoing dental surgery were given one of the anesthetic preparations, after which serum concentrations of the anesthetics and epinephrine were measured. The maximal serum concentration of lidocaine was higher and was reached sooner after injection in patients receiving lidocaine alone (1.74 microgram/ml after 5 min) than in patients receiving both anesthetics (0.85 microgram/ml after 3 min). The mean maximal serum concentration of lidocaine was higher in patients receiving lidocaine alone (1.77 +/- 0.03 microgram/ml) than in those receiving both anesthetics (0.99 +/- 0.45 microgram/ml). Furthermore, the mean plasma concentration of epinephrine 1 min after injection was significantly higher in patients receiving lidocaine alone (0.671 ng/ml) than in patients receiving both lidocaine and bupivacaine (0.323 ng/ml). The results of this study suggest that the combination of lidocaine with epinephrine and bupivacaine produces lower systemic levels of the anesthetic and epinephrine and a longer duration of activity than lidocaine with epinephrine alone for local dental anesthesia.     

Tumescent anaesthesia

Tumescent anaesthesia describes the practice of injecting a very dilute solution of local anaesthetic combined with epinephrine and sodium bicarbonate into tissue until it becomes firm and tense (tumescent). It was initially described in the field of liposuction but now surgical applications for the technique are widely varied ranging across vascular surgery, breast surgery, plastic surgery and ENT procedures. It is widely used in both hospital- and office-based environments and may form the sole method of anaesthesia for surgery. Advantages include a reduction in blood loss through both epinephrine-induced vasoconstriction as well as hydrostatic compression from the tumescent effect. Sodium bicarbonate reduces pain associated with the injection of an acidic local anaesthetic solution. Due to the unique pharmacokinetic profile of this technique lidocaine doses of 35 mg/kg bodyweight have been shown to be safe for liposuction procedures.Tumescent lidocaine is absorbed very slowly from subcutaneous tissues producing lower, and more delayed, peak blood levels compared to other routes, as well as extended postoperative analgesia. Slow systemic absorption allows the rapid hepatic plasma clearance of lidocaine to maintain safe local anaesthetic blood levels. This slow absorption from subcutaneous tissue has been likened to a depot injection. Careful attention must be given to appropriate local anaesthetic dosage alterations in cases of co-administration with agents affecting hepatic drug clearance or conditions reducing liver blood supply. Adherence to these pharmacological principles has produced an exemplary safety record for this technique to date.     

Total mastectomy under local anesthesia: the tumescent technique

The management of breast cancer in elderly women is controversial. Breast cancer in this age group tends to be biologically less aggressive and is highly responsive to hormonal intervention. The risk of dying of other causes often exceeds the risk of cancer recurrence. For these reasons, older patients tend to be treated less aggressively. One large study of elderly women with breast cancer found that half of the patients were undertreated. Four patients (mean age 72 years, range 61-95 years) underwent a unilateral total mastectomy for cancer under local anesthesia using the tumescent technique of infiltrating dilute lidocaine with epinephrine (25 ml of 1% lidocaine [250 mg] and 1 ml of 1:1000 epinephrine [1 mg] to 1 L of Ringers lactate) via an infusion pump. Three of the patients had estrogen receptor (ER)-negative tumors and one patient had tumor progression despite switching from tamoxifen to anastrozole. All four patients were class IV as defined by the American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA). There was no morbidity related to the surgery in the form of hematoma, wound infection, or skin flap necrosis. The patients were discharged 1-4 days after surgery. The anesthesia was adequate in all four cases and there was no deviation from the described technique. The mean operative time was 35 minutes (range 24-46 minutes). The tumescent technique is a safe, effective method for performing a total mastectomy in patients who would not be considered candidates for general anesthesia.     

Serum lidocaine levels during arthroscopy using continuous irrigation with lidocaine

Forty patients with symptoms of internal derangement of the knee were examined arthroscopically under local anesthesia using a continuous irrigation solution of 0.2% lidocaine. Serum levels were measured during and following the procedure to determine peak levels obtained and to assure that toxic levels were not exceeded. The procedure was well tolerated by all patients and found to be adequate by the surgeon. No procedure was terminated because of discomfort. Lidocaine levels ranged from undetectable to 2.5 micrograms/ml with an average of 0.6 microgram/ml. No complications of lidocaine toxicity were noted by the anesthesiologist or the operating surgeon. This technique provides a safe and efficient method of meeting the demands for diagnostic and therapeutic arthroscopy in ambulatory patients.     

Skin Retraction After Liposuction in Patients Over the Age of 40

BACKGROUND: A commonly held misperception regarding liposuction in patients over 40 years of age is that the skin will not retract and redrape following removal of the fat. OBJECTIVE: In order to evaluate tissue retraction in the abdomen, neck, and arms in patients undergoing liposuction after 40 years of age, the following study was conducted. METHOD: A total of 58 patients ranging in age from 40 to 75 years underwent liposuction. Thirty had liposuction of the abdomen, 20 had liposuction of the neck, and 8 had liposuction of the arms. Measurements in inches and weight in pounds were recorded before and at 1, 3, and 6 months after the procedure. RESULTS: Ninety percent of the patients were women. The rest of the patients were men. The average age of the patients undergoing liposuction of the abdomen was 55 years old. The average supranatant fat extracted from these patients was 1725 ml, with an average lidocaine dose of 36 mg/kg of body weight. The patients who had liposuction of the abdomen demonstrated an average weight loss of 5 lb and a decrease of 3 inches in waistline 6 months after the procedure. For those patients who had liposuction of the neck, the average age was 57 years old. The average supranatant fat extracted from these patients was 75 ml, with an average lidocaine dose of 4 mg/kg of body weight. The patients who had liposuction of the neck decreased an average of 1.3 inches in circumference without any weight change 6 months after the procedure. For those patients having liposuction of the arms, the average age was 44 years. The average supranatant fat extracted from these patients was 525 ml, with an average lidocaine dose of 16 mg/kg of body weight. The patients who had liposuction of the arms had an average of 0.5 inch decrease in circumference without any weight change 6 months after the procedure. The cosmetic results were good to excellent. Our highest lidocaine dose occurred in a patient having suction of the abdomen and was 71 mg/kg of body weight. No patients experienced any objective or subjective signs of lidocaine toxicity. CONCLUSION: Tumescent liposuction of the abdomen, neck, and arms is a safe alternative for contour improvement with good cosmetic results in patients over 40 years of age.