Impact of Liposomal Bupivacaine on Opioid Use in THA

This study is a technical report that evaluates the impact of liposomal bupivacaine (LB) on opioid use and healthcare utilization for patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA). The objective is to assess real-world outcomes for Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries receiving LB in outpatient settings. The analysis includes data from 7392 patients, divided into LB and non-LB groups, focusing on opioid consumption, prescription duration, healthcare resource utilization, and total medical costs over a 12-month period. Results indicate that patients in the LB group experienced significantly lower opioid consumption and shorter prescription durations compared to the non-LB group. Additionally, the LB group showed reduced rates of opioid-related adverse events and lower healthcare utilization, including fewer inpatient admissions and emergency department visits. The findings suggest that LB may provide clinical and economic benefits for patients undergoing THA, supporting its use in outpatient care settings.