Liposomal bupivacaine in minimally invasive thoracic surgery: something is rotten in the state of Denmark

Comparing the effectiveness of bupivacaine administration through chest tube and intercostal blockage in patients with rib fractures

Background:

There are several methods to control pain, especially in traumatic patients with rib fractures. Intrapleural analgesia (IPA) and intercostal block methods are recommended in patients with rib fractures to control pain. Here, we aimed to evaluate and compare the effects of IPA and intercostal block on patients’ clinical conditions.

Materials and Methods:

This is a randomized clinical trial that was performed in 2020–2021 on thirty traumatic patients with rib fractures. We collected the results of arterial blood gas in all patients before interventions including HCO3, pH, pO2, and pCO2 and also evaluated pain of patients. The first group underwent intercostal blockade with standard method with bupivacaine, and for the second group of patients, a chest tube was implanted. Patients were monitored for up to 12 h for pain intensity and need for analgesics.

Results:

The mean levels of HCO3 decreased in both groups after the interventions, and this decrease was more significant in patients in the intercostal blockade group (P < 0.05). The mean levels of pO2 increased in both groups after interventions, especially in patients in the intercostal blockade group (P < 0.05). The mean pCO2 levels also decreased in both groups (P < 0.05). The mean pain intensity in both groups decreased significantly after the intervention (P < 0.05) and also the mean pain intensity in the intercostal blocking group decreased significantly more than the group treated with chest tube (P < 0.05).

Conclusion:

Intercostal blockade through bupivacaine is more effective than chest tube administration of bupivacaine in patients with rib fractures.

Liposomal Bupivacaine Intercostal Block Is Important for Reduction of Pulmonary Complications

BACKGROUND

We have previously demonstrated that Enhanced Recovery After Surgery protocols are associated with a reduction in pulmonary complications. As a component of enhanced recovery pathways, intercostal nerve blocks with liposomal bupivacaine are increasingly utilized, but the extent to which this element may contribute to such outcomes has not been evaluated.

METHODS

Patients undergoing lung resection for stage I to III non-small cell lung cancer at a single institution from 2006 to 2017 were examined for major postoperative pulmonary morbidity, defined as pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, respiratory arrest, reintubation, bronchoscopy, or need for discharge with oxygen. Pharmacy records were queried for administration of liposomal bupivacaine via posterior intercostal nerve block. Patients treated with and without liposomal bupivacaine were compared in a logistic regression to determine the impact on pulmonary morbidity.

RESULTS

A total of 2865 patients were identified, including 860 (30%) who were treated with liposomal bupivacaine via posterior intercostal block. Pulmonary morbidity occurred in 455 (16%). Adoption of liposomal bupivacaine analgesia occurred over several years, beginning in 2012 to full adoption by 2017. Liposomal bupivacaine management was associated with a reduction in pulmonary complications, as compared with nonuse (odds ratio, 0.63; P = .006). Additional factors associated with the occurrence of pulmonary morbidity were age, body mass index, smoking, spirometry values, and operative blood loss.

CONCLUSIONS

As a component of an active enhanced recovery program, liposomal bupivacaine is associated with a reduction in major pulmonary complications, and utilization should be evaluated on a hospital-by-hospital basis.