Background: Fascial plane blocks (FPBs) are widely used for abdominal surgery with the assumption that liposomal bupivacaine (LB) is more effective than standard bupivacaine (SB).
Methods: This was a single-institution retrospective cohort study of patients administered FPBs with LB or SB + admixtures (dexamethasone/dexmedetomidine) for open abdominal cancer surgery. Propensity score matching generated a 2:1 (LB:SB) matched cohort. Opioid use (mg oral morphine equivalents, OME) and severe pain (≥3 pain scores ≥7 in a 24-h period) were compared.
Results: Opioid use was >150 mg OME in 19.9 % (29/146) LB and 16.4 % (12/73) SB patients (p = 0.586). Severe pain was experienced by 44 % (64/146) LB and 53 % (39/73) SB patients (p = 0.198). On multivariable analysis, SB vs LB choice was not associated with high opioid volume >150 mg or severe pain.
Conclusions: FPBs with standard bupivacaine were not associated with higher 72-h opioid use or more severe pain compared to liposomal bupivacaine.
Keywords: Abdominal surgery; Laparotomy; Nerve block; Regional anesthesia; Surgical oncology.
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