ABSTRACT
Adequate postoperative pain management after an orthopaedic procedure is critical for patient well-being, acceptable clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction. Current literature suggests over 80% of surgical patients’ state they have moderate to severe pain within 24 hours postoperatively. The standard in pain management for more than 40 years has been opioids, medications known for their many adverse effects and limited efficacy. Recently, a multimodal approach to pain control has been sought after for optimal postoperative pain management. This approach utilizes multiple methods of pain management, such as nerve blocks, wound infiltration with local anesthetics and oral analgesics, to concomitantly reduce postoperative pain. Liposomal bupivacaine, EXPAREL, has been shown to reduce pain for as long as 96 hours postoperatively in select studies. These studies have included both hard and soft-tissue procedures. The goal of this review is to examine the literature on EXPAREL and provide a comprehensive presentation for orthopaedic surgeons to apply to their practices.
Sabesan V, Jelsema TR, Lombardo DJ. Proper Postsurgical Pain Management in Orthopaedics: Reviewing the Efficacy of Wound Infiltration with Liposomal Bupivacaine (EXPAREL). The Duke Orthop J 2015;5(1):6-9.
Cost-effectiveness analysis comparing epidural, patient-controlled intravenous morphine, and continuous wound infiltration for postoperative pain management after open abdominal surgery
