Systematic review and meta-analysis of the efficacy of liposomal bupivacaine in colorectal resections

Abstract

Objective: The objective of the study was to systematically investigate the outcomes of Liposomal Bupivacaine following major colorectal resections.

Patients and methods: We conducted a comprehensive literature search of PubMed, Medline, Google scholar, Cochrane Central Registry and clinical trials.gov databases through May 2017 for studies published regarding liposomal bupivacaine. Studies were filtered based on relevance to perioperative analgesia in colorectal resections. Data comparing type of study, techniques of resection, mode of administration of liposomal bupivacaine, details of control group, outcomes were collected.

Results: A total of 1008 patients from seven studies were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. The studies were mostly retrospective or prospective cohort studies with one randomized controlled trial (RCT). Meta-analysis showed that liposomal bupivacaine was associated with decreased length of stay, standard mean difference in days (SMD) − 0.34, (95% confidence intervals [CI] − 0.56, −0.13, p = .001) and decreased IV opioid use (expressed as intravenous morphine equivalent in milligrams) in the first 48–72 h, SMD −0.49 (95% CI −0.69, −0.28, p < .00001). Pain scores were also significantly low in patients who received liposomal bupivacaine, SMD −0.56 (95% CI −1.07, −0.06, p = .03]. There was no significant difference in hospitalization costs between the two groups.

Conclusions: Use of liposomal bupivacaine is associated with decreased IV opioid use, length of stay and lower pain scores. However, our data needs to be interpreted cautiously given the relative paucity of randomized controlled trials.

Keywords:

• Liposomal bupivacaine
• colorectal surgery
• colon resection
• colectomy

Transparency

Declaration of funding

No funding to declare.

Declaration of financial/other relationships

None of the authors has any financial or other relationships to declare. JDA peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Author contributions

SR: conception and design, analysis and interpretation of data, drafting and critical revision, helped with final approval and agree to be accountable for all aspects of work. ML: conception and design, drafting of the article, final approval and agree to be accountable. NK: analysis and interpretation of data, critical revision of article, helped with final approval and agree to be accountable.

Acknowledgements

Marcie White, Librarian at Mercy Medical Center, for help in procuring the articles.