Lidocaine is not necessary in liposuction

Lidocaine is an integral part of most wetting solutions used in liposuction. Although the Physician's Desk Reference states that the permissible dose of lidocaine is 7 mg/kg, doses as high as 75 mg/kg have been used in liposuction. Lidocaine is used in the wetting solution even when the procedure is performed under epidural or general anesthesia. The justification for this is a reduction in postoperative pain. This study compared the pain between paired, mirrored sides of 10 patients when lidocaine was used on only one side. There was no statistically significant difference between the postoperative pain at 5, 30, 60, and 120 minutes and on the first postoperative day. Because there was no difference in pain whether or not lidocaine was used, and because lidocaine is potentially toxic and lethal, this study concludes that lidocaine is not necessary in liposuction.