Modified tumescent technique for outpatient facial laser resurfacing.

PURPOSE: The study goal was to retrospectively review the effectiveness of a modified tumescent technique to provide anesthesia for facial laser resurfacing in an office-based setting.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: The charts of 54 consecutive patients treated with facial laser resurfacing at a large outpatient clinic were retrospectively reviewed for type of intravenous sedation/analgesia, adequacy of anesthesia, complications, and discharge criteria. All patients were treated with a modified tumescent technique with or without intravenous sedation.

RESULTS: All patients tolerated the procedure extremely well. There were no anesthesia-related complications regarding loss of airway/airway obstruction, desaturation, or prolonged recovery periods. Several patients tolerated the procedure comfortably without intravenous sedation/analgesia.

CONCLUSIONS: The modified tumescent technique is a valuable method to provide patient comfort during facial laser resurfacing while reducing the risk for anesthesia-related complications.