An Updated Review on Liposome Bupivacaine

Abstract

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. 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. 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.