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Study: Liposomal bupivacaine effective addition for postoperative THA pain management
Use of liposomal bupivacaine as an adjunctive method for postoperative total hip arthroplasty pain management led to improved performance metrics, faster mobilization, greater achievement in physical therapy markers and decreased length of stay, according to results.
Researchers compared 686 patients who underwent primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) and received standard THA pain management protocol with 586 patients who underwent primary THA and were treated with an additional intraoperative injection to liposomal bupivacaine.
Despite statistically similar patient-reported pain scores between the two groups, results showed patients who received liposomal bupivacaine had a significant decrease in total narcotic use, specifically up to postoperative day 2. Patients who received liposomal bupivacaine also achieved physical therapy milestones to a greater degree than the comparison group, according to results. While operation time and hospital cost were unaffected, researchers found a decrease in length of stay by 0.31 days in the liposomal bupivacaine group, as well as improvement in discharge placement to home. – by Casey Tingle
Disclosures: Yu reports no relevant financial disclosures. Please see the full study for a list of all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.