Comparison of Liposomal Bupivacaine and Bupivacaine HCl

This technical report presents a retrospective cohort study comparing the effects of liposomal bupivacaine (LB) and bupivacaine hydrochloride (HCl) on opioid consumption and hospital length of stay (LOS) in pediatric patients undergoing craniofacial surgery. The study analyzed electronic medical records from Arkansas Children’s Hospital, focusing on patients who received preincision scalp blocks with either LB or bupivacaine HCl between August 2019 and August 2023. The results indicated that the LB group experienced a significant reduction in cumulative opioid consumption and a shorter LOS compared to the bupivacaine HCl group. Specifically, the LB group had a 44% reduction in opioid consumption through postoperative day 3 and a one-day reduction in LOS. The study also noted that LB was associated with a higher cumulative opioid-free rate on days 1-3 post-surgery. These findings suggest that LB may be more effective in managing postoperative pain and reducing opioid use in this patient population.