Title
Exparel Compared to Standard Bupivacaine for Postoperative Analgesia Following Lumbar Spine Fusion
Date of Award
7-31-2020
Document Type
Open Access Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Medical Science (MMSc)
First Advisor
Peter Whang, MD, FACS
Abstract
Inadequate postoperative pain management following spinal surgery contributes to delayed mobilization and chronic pain. The current standard of care following spinal surgery consists of opiates and anesthetics to target multiple pain pathways. However, opiates are limited by their significant adverse effects and anesthetics are limited by their short duration of delivery. One approach that may overcome these limitations is liposomal or lipid-encapsulated drug formulations, which have been shown to extend the duration of drug delivery to target tissues. In this study, we will compare adjunctive opioid consumption in a randomized controlled trial of patients undergoing elective posterior lumbar spinal surgery that receive liposomal and conventional anesthetic versus conventional anesthetic. We hypothesize that liposomal anesthetic will improve pain management by reducing the total adjunctive opioid consumption required. This study will address a key limitation of conventional anesthetics and may provide evidence for the utility of liposomal anesthetic in postoperative pain management.
Recommended Citation
Lau, Eric Ka Chun, "Exparel Compared to Standard Bupivacaine for Postoperative Analgesia Following Lumbar Spine Fusion" (2020). Yale School of Medicine Physician Associate Program Theses. 23.
https://elischolar.library.yale.edu/ysmpa_theses/23
This Article is Open Access