The American surgeon
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The American surgeon · Sep 2018
Intercostal Nerve Blockade with Exparel® Results in Lower Opioid Usage during the First 24 Hours after Video-Assisted Thorascopic Surgery.
Liposomal bupivacaine (LipoB) provides prolonged local anesthetic effects and has seen usage in several fields of surgery. We review our experience using LipoB intraoperatively for intercostal nerve blocks after video-assisted throacoscopic surgery (VATS). A retrospective, single-center review was conducted for patients undergoing VATS from August 2012 to December 2014. ⋯ After the first 24 hours there was not a significant difference in opiate usage between the two groups. There was no difference in length of stay between the two groups. In our study group of VATS patients, an intercostal nerve block with LipoB significantly reduced the usage of postoperative opioids in the first 24 hours only when compared with standard bupivacaine.