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Article: The tumescent technique to reduce blood loss in burn surgery.(More about ... burns)
- Article from:
- CME: Your SA Journal of CPD
- Article date:
- September 1, 2008
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2008 South African Medical Association. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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The tumescent technique is the subdermal or subeschar injection of fluid containing a vasoconstrictor, prior to burn wound surgery, to reduce blood loss. Local anaesthetic can be added to the formula to enhance pain control.
History
The tumescent technique evolved over the past 20 years mainly for use in liposuction. Illouz, (1) from France, is credited with creating the technique of blunt tip cannula suction lipectomy, and by 1982 presented a series of 3 000 liposuction cases describing the 'wet technique', where the subcutaneous fat is infiltrated with a fluid solution to cause a hydrotomy effect and enhance the suction of the fat. Local anaesthetic ...