What percentage of lidocaine is used in the tumescent anesthesia recipe?

In the context of tumescent anesthesia, a lidocaine concentration of 1% is commonly used. This concentration is effective in providing local anesthesia while minimizing the risk of systemic toxicity. Tumescent anesthesia is characterized by high volumes of fluid being injected, which includes lidocaine, epinephrine, and normal saline. The 1% concentration allows for a safe and effective balance of anesthetic action while also facilitating the infiltration of the fluid into the tissues.

Higher concentrations, while effective for local anesthesia, could lead to increased systemic absorption and potential toxicity when administered in large volumes, which is why 1% is often chosen for tumescent procedures. This careful selection of lidocaine concentration reflects considerations of both efficacy and safety in managing patients undergoing procedures that require tumescent anesthesia.