Does Liposomal Bupivacaine Provide Superior Postoperative Analgesia Compared With Ropivacaine With Dexamethasone in Suprainguinal Fascia Iliaca Compartment Block for THA? A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Study Summary

60 patients undergoing unilateral primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) were randomized to receive liposomal bupivacaine combined with bupivacaine hydrochloride or ropivacaine combined with dexamethasone through an ultrasound-guided suprainguinal fascia iliaca compartment block (FICB). The primary outcome was dynamic postoperative pain measured using the numerical rating scale (NRS) at 48 hours. Secondary outcomes included static and dynamic NRS pain scores, cumulative opioid consumption, sensory block duration, quadriceps motor weakness, rebound pain, rescue analgesia, and adverse events. Outcomes were assessed at 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours postoperatively. Overall, the results of the study revealed that liposomal bupivacaine significantly reduced postoperative opioid consumption and prolonged sensory block duration without clinically important improvements in pain scores or increased quadriceps weakness. These findings suggested that liposomal bupivacaine provided opioid-sparing benefits and prolonged regional analgesia following THA.