Liposomal bupivacaine was not associated with increased postoperative complications in dogs receiving closed anal sacculectomy: a retrospective study.

Objective: To compare the postoperative complication rates of anal sacculectomy procedures in dogs treated with or without liposomal bupivacaine (LB).

Methods: Medical records of 397 client-owned dogs treated with closed anal sacculectomy between 2016 and 2023 were retrospectively identified and grouped on the basis of administration of LB (LB group) or not (non-LB group). Details of short-term (< 15 days) postoperative complications were recorded from physical examination and client communication notes as well as referral documents and compared between groups. Relative risks for complications were calculated. Univariable and multivariable logistic regressions were used to estimate ORs and test for the effects of LB use and other risk factors on complications.

Results: 267 dogs received LB and 173 did not. The overall short-term postoperative complication rate in the study was 24% (94 of 397; 95% CI, 20% to 28%), and the short-term postoperative complication rates for dogs in the LB and non-LB groups were 22% (95% CI, 17% to 27%) and 27% (95% CI, 20% to 35%), respectively. The relative risk for overall short-term postoperative complications was 0.80 (95% CI, 0.56 to 1.16), indicating that an association between LB and an increased risk of short-term postoperative complications was not found.

Conclusions: No significant association of LB with an increase in postoperative complications following anal sacculectomy in dogs was found. Although, LB's efficacy in these cases was not evaluated.

Clinical Relevance: Liposomal bupivacaine may be suitable as a local anesthetic following anal sacculectomy in dogs.