Opioid-Sparing Effect of Liposomal Bupivacaine and Intravenous Acetaminophen in Colorectal Surgery

Quadratus Lumborum Blockade for Postoperative Analgesia in Infants and Children Following Colorectal Surgery

Background

Adult studies have indicated that the quadratus lumborum block (QLB) may provide superior analgesia compared to single-shot neuraxial and other truncal peripheral nerve blocks. The technique is being increasingly used for postoperative analgesia in children undergoing lower abdominal surgery. To date, these pediatric reports have been limited by small sample sizes, which may hinder the interpretation of results and assessment of safety. In this study, we retrospectively examined QLBs performed at a large tertiary care hospital for evidence of effectiveness and safety in the pediatric colorectal surgery population.

Methods

Patients less than 21 years of age who underwent abdominal surgery and received a unilateral or bilateral QLB over a 4-year period were identified in the electronic medical record. Patient demographics, surgery type, and QLB characteristics were retrospectively examined. Pain scores and opioid consumption were tabulated over the first 72-h postoperative period. QLB procedural complications or adverse events attributable to the regional anesthetic were obtained.

Results

The study cohort included 204 QLBs in 163 pediatric-aged patients (2 days to 19 years of age, median age of 2.4 years). The most common indication was unilateral blockade for ostomy creation or reversal. The majority of QLBs were performed using ropivacaine 0.2% with a median volume of 0.6 mL/kg. The median opioid requirement in oral morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs) was 0.7, 0.5, and 0.3 MME/kg on the first, second, and third postoperative days, respectively. Median pain scores were less than 2 over each time period. Aside from block failure (incidence 1.2%), there were no complications or postoperative adverse events related to the QLBs.

Conclusion

This retrospective review in a large cohort of pediatric patients demonstrates that the QLB can be performed safely and efficiently in children undergoing colorectal surgery. The QLB provides adequate postoperative analgesia, has a high success rate, may limit postoperative opioid consumption, and is associated with a limited adverse effect profile.

Preliminary Experience With Quadratus Lumborum Catheters for Postoperative Pain Management in Pediatric-Aged Patients With Contraindications to Epidural Anesthesia

BACKGROUND

Although neuraxial techniques such as caudal and epidural anesthesia were initially the predominant regional anesthetic technique used to provide postoperative analgesia in children, there has been a transition to the use of peripheral nerve blockade such as the quadratus lumborum block (QLB). We present preliminary experience with QL catheters for continuous postoperative analgesia in a cohort of pediatric patients following colorectal surgery.

METHODS

After institutional review board (IRB) approval, we retrospectively reviewed the records of patients who underwent major colorectal surgery and received QL catheters for postoperative analgesia. The postoperative pain control data consisted of QL catheter characteristics, anesthetic agents, adjuncts, pain scores, and opioid consumption during the postoperative period.

RESULTS

The study cohort included eight pediatric patients, ranging in age from 1 to 19 years (median age 11.8 years). The QL catheters were placed in the operating room after the induction of anesthesia. Comorbid conditions in the cohort that were contraindications to neuraxial anesthesia included spinal/vertebral malformations, presence of a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt, anal atresia, tracheo-esophageal fistula (VACTERL) association, and coagulation disturbances. All patients underwent complex colorectal or genito-urologic procedures. Bilateral QL catheters were placed in six patients, and unilateral catheters were placed in two patients. Four patients received 0.5% ropivacaine and four patients received 0.2% ropivacaine of an initial bolus. The local anesthetic used for continuous infusion was 0.2% ropivacaine in five patients, 0.1% ropivacaine in two patients, and 1.5% chloroprocaine in one patient, with a median infusion rate of 0.11 mL/kg/h. QL catheter infusions were supplemented with intravenous opioids delivered by patient-controlled or nurse-controlled analgesia. The median opioid requirements in oral morphine milligram equivalents (MME) were 1.2, 1.0, 1.1, 0.5, and 0.6 MME/kg on postoperative days 1 - 5. Daily median pain scores were ≤ 2 during the 5-day postoperative course. All catheters functioned successfully and were in place for a median of 79.3 h. Other than early inadvertent removal of two catheters, no adverse effects were noted.

CONCLUSIONS

Although our preliminary data suggest the efficacy of QL catheters in providing prolonged postoperative analgesia for up to 3 - 5 days following colorectal procedures, attention needs to be directed at measures to ensure that the catheter is secured to avoid inadvertent removal.

Real-World Data on Liposomal Bupivacaine and Inpatient Hospital Costs After Colorectal Surgery

INTRODUCTION

This study compared costs of care among colorectal surgery patients who received liposomal bupivacaine versus those who did not (control) from a health institution perspective.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This pharmacoeconomic evaluation was conducted among adults undergoing open or minimally invasive colorectal resection at an academic medical center from May 2016 to February 2018. Healthcare resource utilization was derived from the electronic health record. Total cost of care (2018 USD) was analyzed using a generalized linear model adjusted for American Society of Anesthesiologists score, enhanced recovery after surgery management, open surgery, opioid use before surgery, height, cancer, and age. The primary analysis used public costs. A sensitivity analysis used internal costs from the hospital to maximize internal validity.

RESULTS

Of 486 included patients, 286 (59%) received liposomal bupivacaine. Total cost of care using public costs included perioperative local anesthetics (mean ± standard deviation [SD]: $392 ± 74 liposomal bupivacaine versus $8 ± 13 control), analgesics within 48 h after surgery (mean ± SD: $132 ± 99 liposomal bupivacaine versus $117 ± 127 control), postoperative ileus management (mean ± SD: $5 ± 51 liposomal bupivacaine versus $65 ± 284 control), and hospital length of stay (mean ± SD: $4459 ± 3576 liposomal bupivacaine versus $7769 ± 7082 control). Liposomal bupivacaine was associated with an adjusted absolute difference in total cost of care of -$1435 (95% confidence interval -$2401 to -$470; P = 0.004) using public costs and -$1345 (95% confidence interval -$2215 to -$476; P = 0.002) using internal costs.

CONCLUSIONS

Use of liposomal bupivacaine in colorectal surgery was associated with a significant reduction in total cost of care that was predominately driven by reduced costs for hospital stay and postoperative ileus management despite higher medication costs.