Tumescent technique as an adjunct to breast implant removal and capsulectomy

Hydrodissection has long been used in plastic surgery to facilitate dissection. The addition of epinephrine to the solution is thought to add to hemostasis, whereas the use of local anesthetic reduces intraoperative pain. Removal of breast implants and the associated capsules can be a tedious procedure with adhesions between the capsule and the parenchyma brought about by the prolonged presence of the device. The use of a mixture of Ringer's lactate and lidocaine with epinephrine has been used in this group of patients. Its use is described along with the benefits and pitfalls of the technique.