Deaths Related to Liposuction

Liposuction is the most common cosmetic operation in the United States. 1 The technique of tumescent liposuction is a relatively new procedure that has gained popularity in the past decade, in part because of its purported safety. 2 , 3 Tumescent liposuction involves the subcutaneous infusion of a solution containing a local anesthetic drug, followed by the aspiration of fat through microcannulas. 4 The infusate typically consists of 1 liter of normal saline containing 500 to 1000 mg of lidocaine, 0.25 to 1.0 mg of epinephrine, and 12.5 mmol of sodium bicarbonate. 4 , 5 Its components provide prolonged local anesthesia and minimize blood loss. Large-volume . . .