Liposomal Bupivacaine Suspension Can Reduce the Length of Stay of Patients Undergoing Open Reduction and Internal Fixation of Mandibular Fracture

Abstract

Poorly controlled postoperative pain results in prolonged length of stay (LOS). The use of liposome bupivacaine injectable suspension (LB) for postoperative pain control is a relatively recent practice. The purpose of this study was to investigate the following. In patients undergoing open reduction and internal fixation of mandibular fracture(s), does the use of LB reduce LOS compared with regular bupivacaine? We implemented a retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients with mandibular fracture(s) presented to Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, GA, from January 2021 to January 2022. Adult patients diagnosed with 1 or more isolated mandibular fracture(s) and treated by open reduction and internal fixation were included. We excluded patients with non-isolated mandibular fracture(s), isolated condyle, infected, previously treated fractures, and documented allergy to amide local anesthetics and/or its preservatives. Primary predictor variable was the use of local anesthetic. Primary outcome variable was LOS, defined as the number of days from surgical procedure until discharge. Secondary outcome variables were number of opioid prescription refill(s) and postoperative pain at discharge, determined with visual analogue score. Demographics, American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, smoking, alcohol exposure, illicit drug use, etiology, location, laterality, number of fracture(s), surgical approach, and method of maxillomandibular fixation. Univariate and bivariate analyses were calculated. Statistical significance was P<.05. Sixty-two subjects met the inclusion criteria (31 subjects in each group). The mean ages in LB/regular bupivacaine and regular bupivacaine alone groups were 33.3 (±12) and 35.1 (±15.6), respectively (P=.94), the mean LOS in days was 0.23 (±0.44) in LB/regular bupivacaine and 1.48 (±1.77) in regular bupivacaine alone (P=<.001), and the mean VAS pain scores for LB/regular bupivacaine and regular bupivacaine alone groups were 0.53 (±1.07) and 1.87 (±2.66), respectively (P=.02). Mean number of opioid prescription refill(s) was 0 in LB/regular bupivacaine and 1 in regular bupivacaine alone group, respectively (P=.01). The study findings suggest that the use of LB/regular bupivacaine for mandibular fracture(s) results in decrease in LOS and number of opioid refills compared to regular bupivacaine alone.