Multimodal Pain Strategies Including Liposomal Bupivacaine for Isolated Acetabular Fracture Surgery

Abstract

Background: The incidence of isolated acetabular fractures has been increasing, particularly in older adult patients. These fractures can be debilitating and may require prolonged immobilization and/or complex surgical reconstruction. Liposomal bupivacaine (LB) is a prolonged-release form of bupivacaine demonstrated to be effective in orthopaedic surgery. Defining a multimodal pain management plan, which incorporates optimized techniques for use of LB in acetabular surgery, may improve outcomes for patients.

Methods: Two orthopaedic surgeons specializing in orthopaedic traumatology discussed best practices for infiltration of LB and recommendations for perioperative use of LB plus other anesthetics/analgesics for isolated acetabular fracture surgery.

Results: Consensus techniques for isolated posterior and anterior acetabular fractures were developed. LB (266 mg/20 mL) should be expanded with 50 mL of bupivacaine HCl 0.25% and saline to a total volume of 120 or 300 mL for the posterior or anterior techniques, respectively. A 3.5-inch spinal needle is inserted tangentially, infiltrating 1 mL/cm into the fracture site, periosteum, muscle fascia, subcutaneous tissue, and skin. Patients receive acetaminophen, celecoxib, gabapentin, and opioids before surgery, adjusting appropriately for patient comorbidities and potential drug-drug interactions. At the end of the surgery, before closure, LB is infiltrated and patients receive a dose of intravenous acetaminophen. Presurgical medications are continued after surgery for approximately 10-14 days, after which opioids are only considered to treat breakthrough pain.

Conclusions: These recommendations can be used to optimize and streamline care for patients with isolated acetabular fractures and act as a foundation for additional clinical research.

Level of evidence: Therapeutic Level V.