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Liposomal bupivacaine, interscalene block had similar efficacy in total shoulder arthroplasty
Results published in Orthopedics showed similar efficacy between injectable liposomal bupivacaine and an interscalene brachial plexus block among patients who underwent total shoulder arthroplasty.
Nady Hamid, MD, and colleagues recorded patient demographics, in-hospital numeric pain rating scale score obtained at 12-hour intervals, length of stay and total in-hospital morphine equivalents among 79 patients undergoing total shoulder arthroplasty and receiving either liposomal bupivacaine or interscalene block. Overall, 69 patients were included in the final analysis.
Results showed no significant differences for sex, age, American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, preoperative opioid use, length of stay or morphine equivalents between groups. In the first 12 hours, researchers noted an average numeric pain rating scale score of 3.01 and 4.41 for the bupivacaine group and the interscalene block group, respectively. Researchers found similar average numeric pain rating scale scores by 48-hours postoperatively, with a score of 4.9 for the bupivacaine group and a score of 4.19 for the interscalene block group.
“This study demonstrated that in patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty, liposomal bupivacaine provided comparable pain control and opioid consumption compared to regional anesthesia without the added cost and risk of going to a regional anesthetic procedure,” Hamid told Healio.com/Orthopedics. – by Casey Tingle
Disclosure s : The authors report no relevant financial disclosures.