Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Using liposomal bupivacaine for pain after dog limb amputation
By Ashley S Villatoro et al.·Published in Veterinary Medicine and Science·2023·Veterinary Surgical Centers Vienna Austria, GB·View original on DOAJ →
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Original publication title: Evaluation of the usage of incisional liposomal bupivacaine as a local anaesthetic for dogs undergoing limb amputation
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs undergoing limb amputation received a new type of local pain relief called liposomal bupivacaine at the surgery site. This treatment was found to be well-tolerated and resulted in fewer complications compared to dogs that did not receive it. Specifically, only 13% of dogs given liposomal bupivacaine had issues with their incisions, while 34% of those who didn't receive it had complications. Additionally, dogs treated with liposomal bupivacaine were discharged from the hospital sooner and needed fewer follow-up visits. Overall, this approach could help improve recovery for dogs after limb amputation.
People also search for: dog limb amputation recovery · liposomal bupivacaine for dogs · dog pain relief after surgery
Abstract
Abstract Background Bupivacaine lioposomal suspension has recently emerged in the veterinary field for local analgesia. Objective To describe the extra‐label administration of bupivacaine liposomal suspension at the incision site of dogs undergoing limb amputation and characterize any complications. Study Design Nonblinded retrospective study. Animals Client‐owned dogs undergoing limb amputation from 2016 to 2020. Methods Medical records of dogs undergoing limb amputation with concurrent use of long‐acting liposomal bupivacaine suspension were reviewed for incisional complications, adverse effects, hospitalization length, and time to alimentation. Data were compared to a control group (CG) of dogs who underwent a limb amputation procedure without concurrent use of liposomal bupivacaine suspension. Results Forty‐six dogs were included in the liposomal bupivacaine group (LBG) and 44 cases in the CG. The CG had 15 incidences of incisional complications (34%) compared to 6 within the LBG (13%). Four dogs required revisional surgery in the CG (9%) whereas none of the dogs required revisional surgery in the LBG. Time from surgery to discharge was statistically higher in the CG compared to the LBG (p = 0.025). First time to alimentation was statistically higher in the CG (p value = 0.0002). The total number of rechecks needed postoperatively revealed the CG having a statistically significant increase in recheck evaluations (p = 0.001). Conclusions Extra‐label administration of liposomal bupivacaine suspension was well‐tolerated in dogs undergoing limb amputation. Liposomal bupivacaine usage did not increase incisional complication rates and its use allowed for a quicker time to discharge. Clinical significance Surgeons should consider inclusion of extra‐label administration of liposomal bupivacaine in analgesic regimens for dogs undergoing limb amputation.
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Search related cases →Original publication on DOAJ: https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.1159