The effect of liposomal bupivacaine injection during total hip arthroplasty: a controlled cohort study
Authors
Domb BG, Gupta A, Hammarstedt JE, Stake CE, Sharp K, Redmond JM
DOI: 10.1186/1471-2474-15-310
Purpose
To evaluate the effectiveness of liposomal bupivacaine, a long-acting local anesthetic, compared with standard bupivacaine in pain management after total hip arthroplasty (THA).
Methods
Retrospective chart review comparing 28 patients receiving intraoperative liposomal bupivacaine versus 30 patients receiving standard bupivacaine during THA or hip resurfacing. Outcomes included length of hospital stay, opioid consumption, and pain scores.
Key Findings
- The liposomal bupivacaine group had a significantly shorter hospital stay (1.93 vs 2.47 days).
- Opioid use in the first 24 hours postoperatively was significantly less in the liposomal group.
- Pain scores were similar between groups at all time points.
Conclusion
Liposomal bupivacaine reduces early postoperative opioid requirements and hospital stay duration, supporting its potential use as part of multimodal analgesia in THA.
What This Means for Patients
Patients receiving liposomal bupivacaine during hip replacement surgery may experience less opioid use and faster hospital discharge, potentially improving recovery comfort.