Impact of liposomal bupivacaine transversus abdominis plane blocks on patient outcomes in minimally invasive colorectal surgery

ABSTRACT

Background and Objectives: As part of enhanced recovery after surgery protocols, there has been an increased interest in improving analgesic techniques. This study compares the efficacy of liposomal bupivacaine transverse abdominis plane blocks on outcomes in colorectal surgery patients.

Methods: This retrospective study compared patients who had minimally invasive colorectal surgery and perioperative liposomal bupivacaine blocks with patients who did not receive this block on post-operative outcomes, including lengths of stay, opioid consumption, and post-operative pain scores.

Results: The mean length of stay in the control group was 4.79 days; in the liposomal bupivacaine group, it was 4.14 days (p = 0.011). There were no differences in opioid use, acetaminophen use, or pain scores in these 2 cohorts. There was a decrease in NSAID use in the liposomal bupivacaine group.

Conclusion: This study shows that liposomal bupivacaine blocks can improve some post-operative outcomes in minimally invasive colorectal surgery patients, especially by decreasing length of stay and possibly by decreasing use of other analgesics.

Keywords: Minimally invasive surgical procedures; analgesics, nerve block; post-operative pain management; bupivacaine