A Prospective, Randomized, Open-Label Study Comparing an Opioid-Sparing Postsurgical Pain Management Protocol With...

Area of Science:

• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Pain Management
• Anesthesiology

Background:

• Postsurgical pain is common after full-arch implant surgery.
• Severe pain can occur, necessitating effective pain management.
• Opioid-sparing protocols aim to minimize opioid use and associated risks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and safety of liposomal bupivacaine in an opioid-sparing protocol for full-arch implant surgery.
• To compare pain reduction and opioid consumption with or without liposomal bupivacaine.

Main Methods:

• Randomized, open-label trial involving patients undergoing full-arch implant surgery.
• Patients received an opioid-sparing protocol with or without liposomal bupivacaine 266 mg.
• Pain was assessed using a 0-10 numeric rating scale for mandible and maxilla.

Main Results:

• Liposomal bupivacaine group reported significantly less cumulative pain at all time points for both mandible and maxilla.
• Patients receiving liposomal bupivacaine experienced one-third less pain over 7 days.
• Adverse event incidence was comparable, though itching and constipation were higher in the liposomal bupivacaine group.

Conclusions:

• Liposomal bupivacaine significantly reduced postsurgical pain and opioid consumption in full-arch implant surgery.
• The opioid-sparing protocol with liposomal bupivacaine is effective and safe.
• Adverse event profiles were similar between groups.