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Liposomal bupivacaine shortens hospital stay after implant-based breast reconstruction

When compared with bupivacaine pain pump and IV/oral narcotic pain management, liposomal bupivacaine was associated with decreased patient Visual Analog Scale pain scores and reduced inpatient length of stay after immediate, implant-based breast reconstruction.

Researchers conducted a retrospective chart review of 90 patients who underwent immediate, implant-based breast reconstruction patient charts.

Patients were grouped according to method of pain management: IV/oral narcotic pain control (control arm); bupivacaine pain pump; or liposomal bupivacaine (LB) injection. Each group included 30 consecutive patients.

Across all cohorts, patients were matched well for age and 82% were white.

LB patients had a significantly lower mean length of hospital stay compared with control: 1.5 days vs. 2 days.
Lower VAS pain scores were also reported in the LB patients at 4, 8, 12, 16 and 24 hours after procedure compared with pain pump patients and controls.

Researchers noted no adverse events in the LB group.

The cost of LB and pain pumps is similar, according to researchers.

They concluded that LB was associated with lower pain scores and a greater chance of discharge after 1 day. – by Abigail Sutton

 Disclosure: The authors reported no relevant financial disclosures.