The reason to add epinephrine is to reduce any bruising or blood loss at needle puncture sites. It is especially important if any of the branch varicose veins will be removed at the same time. The epinephrine is very low dose, and will not cause any adverse reaction. It also helps to delay the absorption of the lidocaine, so the anesthetic effect will last for several hours.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Epinephrine is a vasoconstrictor mixed with lidocaine to minimize bruising. Straight lidocaine injection is an option, too.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Standard tumescent solution includes epinephrine for maximum effectiveness. For special cases, it can be omitted.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Epi is intended to reduce the amount of bruising.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Yes, you can. The epinephrine is to decrease bleeding and it's optional.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

The addition of epinephrine to the numbing solution is entirely a matter of preference. Your doc must like to have it in the numbing solution. I typically go without it since some patients react adversely to the epinephrine in the liquid. So to answer your question, the epi is not necessary. I do those procedures all the time without it and my patients do fine.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

The solution is very diluted, so people usually have no problem with it. It can be done without epinephrine but does not work quite as well.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

No, it is not necessary. I have not used that in over 10 years for my ablation procedures.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

The procedure is best done with a small amount of epinephrine to help with the local anesthetic and vasoconstriction.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

The reason for epinephrine is to cause constriction to reduce bleeding and to prolong the effects and duration of the lidocaine. However, the procedure can be done without epinephrine, and I have many times not used it if the patient is allergic to it or afraid to have it.

Published on Jul 11, 2012