A randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled, prospective clinical study to evaluate the effectiveness of a diluted liposomal-encapsulated bupivacaine suspension in dogs undergoing a ventral midline celiotomy.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a liposomal-encapsulated bupivacaine suspension (LEBS; Nocita), at a 1:5 dilution with 0.9% NaCl, for the reduction of postoperative pain scores and a related reduction in the need for postoperative opioids in dogs undergoing ventral midline celiotomy.

Hypothesis: When infused at a 1:5 dilution, LEBS results in less postoperative pain (as indicated by pain scale scores), and a reduction in postoperative opioids, in dogs undergoing ventral midline celiotomy. The use of LEBS does not affect wound healing when compared to placebo.

Study Design: This was a randomized, blinded, prospective clinical trial.

Animals: We studied 40 client-owned dogs undergoing abdominal surgery a ventral midline celiotomy.

Procedure: Dogs undergoing a ventral midline celiotomy were enrolled and randomly allocated to 1 of 2 groups: those receiving LEBS or a placebo injection protocol into tissue planes during closure. The Glasgow Composite Pain Scale-Short Form (GCPS-SF) was used by an observer blinded to the treatment group to assess patients at 0, 1, 2, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48, 54, 60, 66, and 72 h after extubation. Dogs with a score of ≥ 3 in any single category or ≥ 6 total were given a rescue analgesia. Data were analyzed to compare the number of rescue therapy doses administered between the 2 treatment groups.

Results: Forty dogs completed the study. Dogs that received a diluted LEBS protocol were equally likely to require a rescue therapy as those that received the placebo (0.9% NaCl). There were no significant difference in the pain scores or the total number of opioid injections required between the 2 treatment groups.

Conclusion And Clinical Relevance: In dogs undergoing ventral midline celiotomy, 1:5 diluted LEBS administration alone should not be considered the sole method of pain relief. Liposomal-encapsulated bupivacaine suspension should be used in conjunction with systemic opioids as part of a multimodal analgesic regime. This multimodal approach would allow a reduction in dose or frequency of opioids, therefore lessening the undesired side effects associated with opioids while also decreasing client costs.