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Effective January 1, 2025: ASP+6% reimbursement for EXPAREL when billing with code J0666 across all outpatient surgical settings.

ISBP Block in Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair

This case study represents an individual clinician experience with and methodology for using EXPAREL.

Pacira BioSciences, Inc., recognizes that there are other methodologies for administering local anesthetics, as well as individual patient considerations, when selecting the dose for a specific procedure.

Please see Important Safety Information below and refer to the Full Prescribing Information.

Disclosure: Dr Hutchins is a paid consultant for Pacira BioSciences, Inc.

Background
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CASE INFORMATION
 
Physician Name
Jacob Hutchins, MD
Affiliation
University of Minnesota, Director of the Division of Regional Anesthesia, Acute Pain, and
Ambulatory Anesthesia; Medical Director of Anesthesiology of the University of Minnesota
Health Ambulatory Surgical Center
Surgical Case Performed
Interscalene brachial plexus nerve block
Inpatient or Outpatient Procedure
Outpatient
PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS
 
Gender
Female
Age
53 years
Patient History
and Characteristics
Previous smoker, history of nephrolithiasis and a rotator cuff repair
Scheduled for arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, subacromial decompression, distal clavicle resection, and biceps tenotomy
Anesthetic plan: Ultrasound-guided interscalene brachial plexus nerve block anesthesia care
PROCEDURAL DETAILS
 
Preoperative Analgesics Used
PO acetaminophen 975 mg
PO gabapentin 300 mg
Intraoperative Anesthetics Used
Low-dose propofol infusion
Low-dose dexmedetomidine infusion
IV ketamine 0.25 mg/kg
Nerve Block Performed
Interscalene brachial plexus nerve block with 10 mL (133 mg) EXPAREL admixed with
10 mL (50 mg) 0.5% bupivacaine HCl
Dose of EXPAREL and
Total Volume Used
20ml
IV=intravenous; PO=by mouth.

The recommended dose of EXPAREL for adults is based on the size of the surgical site, the volume required to cover the area, and individual patient factors that may impact the safety of an amide local anesthetic. The maximum dose of EXPAREL should not exceed 266 mg (20 mL). The recommended dose of EXPAREL for patients aged 6 to <17 years old is 4 mg/kg, up to a maximum of 266 mg (20 mL). The recommended dose of EXPAREL in adults for interscalene brachial plexus nerve block and sciatic nerve block in the popliteal fossa is 133 mg (10 mL). The recommended dose of EXPAREL in adults for an adductor canal block is 133 mg (10 mL) admixed with 50 mg (10 mL) 0.5% bupivacaine HCL, for a total volume of 20 mL.

EXPAREL can be administered undiluted (20 mL) or diluted to increase volume up to a total of 300 mL (maintain a minimum concentration of 0.89 mg/mL) with normal (0.9%) saline or lactated Ringer’s solution.

Bupivacaine HCl (which is approved for use in patients aged 12 and older) may be administered immediately before EXPAREL or admixed in the same syringe, as long as the ratio of the milligram dose of bupivacaine HCl to EXPAREL does not exceed 1:2. Admixing may impact the pharmacokinetic and/or physiochemical properties of EXPAREL, and this effect is concentration dependent. The toxic effects of these drugs are additive and their administration should be used with caution, including monitoring for neurological and cardiovascular effects related to toxicity. Other than with bupivacaine, EXPAREL should not be admixed with other drugs prior to administration.

Dr Hutchins performed an interscalene brachial plexus nerve block using ultrasound guidance to ensure accuracy of infiltration. With the patient in a supine position, with the head of the bed elevated 45 degrees, a linear high-frequency 13-6 MHz probe was used to identify the interscalene brachial plexus between both the anterior and middle scalene muscles.

Step #1:

A 21-gauge, 100-mm echogenic needle was inserted in the plane lateral to medial until the tip was just lateral to the bottom of the interscalene brachial plexus. Dr Hutchins deposited 10 mL of the admixture inside the compartment (see Needle path 1 in Figure).

Step #2:

The needle was repositioned until it was just lateral to the top of the interscalene brachial plexus, where the remaining 10 mL of admixture was deposited. Nerve block was performed under direct visualization to ensure proper placement and adequate spread of EXPAREL® (bupivacaine liposome injectable suspension) admixture (see Needle path 2 in Figure).

step1-img

FIGURE. Interscalene brachial plexus nerve block ultrasound

Interscalene Brachial Plexus Nerve Block in Rotator Cuff RepairPerformed by: Dr Hutchins

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Important Notice

Indication

EXPAREL® (bupivacaine liposome injectable suspension) is indicated to produce postsurgical local analgesia via infiltration in patients aged 6 years and older and regional analgesia in adults via an interscalene brachial plexus nerve block, sciatic nerve block in the popliteal fossa, and an adductor canal block. Safety and efficacy have not been established in other nerve blocks.

Important Safety Information

  • EXPAREL is contraindicated in obstetrical paracervical block anesthesia.
  • Adverse reactions reported in adults with an incidence greater than or equal to 10% following EXPAREL administration via infiltration were nausea, constipation, and vomiting; adverse reactions reported in adults with an incidence greater than or equal to 10% following EXPAREL administration via nerve block were nausea, pyrexia, headache, and constipation.
  • Adverse reactions with an incidence greater than or equal to 10% following EXPAREL administration via infiltration in pediatric patients six to less than 17 years of age were nausea, vomiting, constipation, hypotension, anemia, muscle twitching, vision blurred, pruritus, and tachycardia.
  • Do not admix lidocaine or other non-bupivacaine local anesthetics with EXPAREL. EXPAREL may be administered at least 20 minutes or more following local administration of lidocaine.
  • EXPAREL is not recommended to be used in the following patient populations: patients <6 years old for infiltration, patients younger than 18 years old for nerve blocks, and/or pregnant patients.
  • Because amide-type local anesthetics, such as bupivacaine, are metabolized by the liver, EXPAREL should be used cautiously in patients with hepatic disease.

Warnings and Precautions Specific to EXPAREL

  • Avoid additional use of local anesthetics within 96 hours following administration of EXPAREL.
  • EXPAREL is not recommended for the following types or routes of administration: epidural, intrathecal, regional nerve blocks other than interscalene brachial plexus nerve block, sciatic nerve block in the popliteal fossa, and adductor canal block, or intravascular or intra-articular use.
  • The potential sensory and/or motor loss with EXPAREL is temporary and varies in degree and duration depending on the site of injection and dosage administered and may last for up to 5 days, as seen in clinical trials.

Warnings and Precautions for Bupivacaine-Containing Products

  • Central Nervous System (CNS) Reactions: There have been reports of adverse neurologic reactions with the use of local anesthetics. These include persistent anesthesia and paresthesia. CNS reactions are characterized by excitation and/or depression.
  • Cardiovascular System Reactions: Toxic blood concentrations depress cardiac conductivity and excitability, which may lead to dysrhythmias, sometimes leading to death.
  • Allergic Reactions: Allergic-type reactions (eg, anaphylaxis and angioedema) are rare and may occur as a result of hypersensitivity to the local anesthetic or to other formulation ingredients.
  • Chondrolysis: There have been reports of chondrolysis (mostly in the shoulder joint) following intra-articular infusion of local anesthetics, which is an unapproved use.
  • Methemoglobinemia: Cases of methemoglobinemia have been reported with local anesthetic use.

Please refer to full Prescribing Information.

SEE MORE

EXPAREL® (bupivacaine liposome injectable suspension) is indicated to produce postsurgical local analgesia via infiltration in patients aged 6 years and older and regional analgesia in adults via an interscalene brachial plexus nerve block, sciatic nerve block in the popliteal fossa, and an adductor canal block. Safety and efficacy have not been established in other nerve blocks.

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