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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 Guevara is a paid consultant for Pacira BioSciences, Inc.
The recommended dose of EXPAREL for infiltration in 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. The recommended dose of EXPAREL for patients aged 6 to <17 years old is 4 mg/kg, up to a maximum of 266 mg. The recommended dose of EXPAREL in adults for interscalene brachial plexus nerve block, sciatic nerve block in the popliteal fossa, and adductor canal is 133 mg. The recommended dose of EXPAREL in adults for adductor canal block is 133 mg (10 mL) admixed with 50 mg (10 mL) of 0.5% bupivacaine HCl, for a total volume of 20 mL.
EXPAREL can be administered unexpanded (20 mL) or expanded to increase volume up to a total of 300 mL (final concentration of 0.89 mg/mL [ie, 1:14 dilution by volume]) 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 physicochemical 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 local anesthetic systemic toxicity. Other than with bupivacaine, EXPAREL should not be admixed with other drugs prior to administration.
ASSESSED THE SIZE OF THE SURGICAL SITE AND DEPTH OF TISSUE, THEN PREPARED INJECTION MATERIALS ACCORDINGLY
In this procedure, Dr Guevara determined that a total volume of approximately 80 mL would be needed to cover the surgical site. He expanded 20 mL of EXPAREL® (bupivacaine liposome injectable suspension) with 30 mL of normal saline and 30 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine. Dr Guevara also prepared a separate syringe with 20 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine to be injected up front. The use of 0.25% bupivacaine up front and as part of the EXPAREL cocktail was to provide short-term local analgesia that overlapped with the long-term local analgesia provided by EXPAREL.
In patients who have large surface area, have a lot of adipose tissue, are extremely muscular, or have a large hip, Dr Guevara adds an additional 30 mL of saline to expand the volume of EXPAREL to 110 mL.
When infiltrating EXPAREL® (bupivacaine liposome injectable suspension), Dr Guevara makes sure to infiltrate below the fascia, above the fascia, and into the subcutaneous tissue using a moving needle technique. With a moving needle technique, the injections are spread in a rapid and precise fan-like pattern to maximize the number of injection areas. Injection occurs as the needle is withdrawn, creating an EXPAREL “stripe” to maximize the coverage area. This technique should be systematically and meticulously repeated with each subsequent injection site, and the next site should overlap with the prior infiltrated area to maximize effect.
DIVIDED INJECTATE INTO SYRINGES WITH NEEDLE GAUGES APPROPRIATE FOR INFILTRATION (20- TO 25-GAUGE) AND PLANNED WHICH AREAS TO INFILTRATE
For this procedure, Dr Guevara mixed the injection materials in a bowl and then divided the injectate between two 10-mL syringes with a 21-gauge needle. He refilled each syringe as needed throughout the procedure.
INFILTRATION INTO THE SURGICAL SITE
Immediately following the incision, 20 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine was infiltrated into the subcutaneous, fascial, and adipose tissues (10 mL per side). 20 mL of expanded EXPAREL® (bupivacaine liposome injectable suspension) was then infiltrated into the dermis at the corners of the incision and into the subcutaneous, fascial, and adipose tissues (10 mL per side, 0.5 mL per injection).
20 mL of expanded EXPAREL® (bupivacaine liposome injectable suspension) was then infiltrated into the dermis at the corners of the incision and into the subcutaneous, fascial, and adipose tissues (10 mL per side, 0.5 mL per injection).
FIGURE 1. Subcutaneous, fascial, and adipose tissues
Angle the needle downward to ensure infiltration down to the fascial tissue.
10 mL of expanded EXPAREL was infiltrated into the fascia lata (5 mL per side). It was infiltrated roughly 1 cm deep into the cut edge.
FIGURE 2. Fascia lata
Lift the subcutaneous layer up for better visualization and access.
20 mL of expanded EXPAREL was infiltrated into the full medial peel (vastus lateralis/intermedius, gluteus medius/minimus, and capsule), with care taken to aspirate before each injection to minimize the risk of intravascular injection (0.2 mL per injection).
FIGURE 3. Medial peel
After inserting the acetabular cup, 20 mL of expanded EXPAREL was infiltrated circumferentially around the acetabulum. It was also infiltrated into the periosteum and into the gluteus medius and minimus.
The remaining 10 mL was infiltrated into the vastus lateralis and transverse acetabular ligament.
FIGURE 4. Acetabulum
When infiltrating into the gluteus medius and minimus, take care to avoid the superior gluteal nerve.
ASP, average sales price; CMS, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
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.
Please refer to full Prescribing Information.
EXPAREL® (bupivacaine liposome injectable suspension) is indicated to produce postsurgical local analgesia via infiltration
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