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An Updated Review on Liposome Bupivacaine

  • Regional Anesthesia (P Kukreja, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Anesthesiology Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

In this review, we discuss the evidence for the use of liposome bupivacaine during the perioperative period when used for surgical site infiltration or as part of a peripheral/epidural nerve block.

Recent Findings

There is sparse high-quality evidence from randomized controlled trials that liposome bupivacaine is superior to traditional bupivacaine when surgically infiltrated. The evidence for liposome bupivacaine used as part of peripheral and epidural nerve blocks is promising, but its superiority is yet to be determined when compared to single-injection or continuous perineural infusions using unencapsulated (standard) long-acting local anesthetics.

Summary

High-quality, adequately powered, prospective, randomized, controlled trials are still needed to adequately compare liposome bupivacaine to unencapsulated local anesthetic for peripheral nerve blocks and surgical site infiltration.

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Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anesthesiology, University of California, 200 West Arbor Dr, MC 8770, San Diego, CA, 92103, USA

    Rodney A. Gabriel & Brian M. Ilfeld

Authors
  1. Rodney A. Gabriel
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  2. Brian M. Ilfeld
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Brian M. Ilfeld.

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Conflict of Interest

Rodney A. Gabriel’s institution has received funding and product for his research from Myoscience and Epimed; infusion pump manufacturer InfuTronix; perineural catheter manufacturer Ferrosan Medical; and a manufacturer of a peripheral nerve stimulation device, SPR Therapeutics. Brian M. Ilfeld’s institution has received funding and product for his research from Myoscience and Epimed; infusion pump manufacturer InfuTronix; perineural catheter manufacturer Ferrosan Medical; a manufacturer of a peripheral nerve stimulation device, SPR Therapeutics; and, a manufacturer of a long-acting bupivacaine formulation, Heron Pharmaceuticals.

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Gabriel, R.A., Ilfeld, B.M. An Updated Review on Liposome Bupivacaine. Curr Anesthesiol Rep 9, 321–325 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40140-019-00327-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40140-019-00327-y

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