The Use of Exparel (Liposomal Bupivacaine) to Manage Postoperative Pain in Unilateral Total Knee Arthroplasty Patients

• Published in: The Journal of arthroplasty Vol. 30; no. 2; pp. 325 - 329
• Main Authors: Surdam, Jonathan W., MD, Licini, David J., MD, Baynes, Nathan T., PA-C, Arce, Britney R., BSN, RN, CRRN
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01-02-2015
• Subjects: accelerated rehabilitation; Aged; Anesthetics, Local - administration & dosage; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee; Bupivacaine - administration & dosage; Female; Femoral Nerve - drug effects; femoral nerve block; Humans; Injections; liposomal bupivacaine; Liposomes; Male; Middle Aged; Nerve Block; Orthopedics; Pain Measurement; Pain, Postoperative - drug therapy; Pain, Postoperative - prevention & control; Prospective Studies; total knee arthroplasty; total knee arthroplasty; liposomal bupivacaine; accelerated rehabilitation; femoral nerve block
• ISSN: 0883-5403; 1532-8406
• DOI: 10.1016/j.arth.2014.09.004

Abstract Efforts continue to improve pain after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in order to allow for accelerated rehabilitation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate pain control after TKA. A randomized prospective study of 80 consecutive patients was performed comparing Exparel versus femoral nerve block (FNB). Inpatient pain control was the primary outcome. Secondary outcome measures included ROM (extension and flexion), nausea and vomiting, narcotic consumption, ambulation distance, and length of stay (LOS). There were no statistically significant differences between the groups with regard to pain, nausea and vomiting, and narcotic consumption. The FNB group had greater flexion but the Exparel group had improved early ambulation and decreased LOS. Exparel provided similar pain relief to a FNB after TKA without compromising early rehabilitation.