Liposomal bupivacaine did not improve pain, function in patients with distal radius fractures

BOSTON — The addition of liposomal bupivacaine to supraclavicular nerve block did not provide benefit in pain or function scores among patients with distal radius fractures, according to results presented at the American Society for Surgery of the Hand Annual Meeting.

Yen Hsun Chen, MD, and colleagues collected VAS pain score, Quick-DASH function score, pain catastrophizing scores and Charlson comorbidity index among 46 patients with distal radius fractures who underwent open reduction and volar plating with either supraclavicular nerve block alone (n = 20) or with liposomal bupivacaine (n = 26). VAS and Quick-DASH scores were collected at 18 hours, 72 hours, 1 week and 2 weeks postoperatively.

In his presentation, Chen noted no significant differences in VAS pain scores or Quick-DASH scores between the two groups at each of the follow-up time points.

“We did not see a rebound pain phenomenon in our cohorts, even in patients who only received a block,” Chen said.

Although there was a correlation between pain catastrophizing scores and higher pain and poorer function after surgery, Chen said these scores were not affected by the addition of liposomal bupivacaine. – by Casey Tingle

Reference:

Chen YH, et al. Paper 55. Presented at: American Society for Surgery of the Hand Annual Meeting; Sept. 13-15, 2018; Boston.

Disclosure: Chen reports no relevant financial disclosures.