Table 2.
Summary of key RCTs evaluating liposomal bupivacaine in fascial plane blocks.
| Study | Design | Surgery type | Block type | Main findings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hutchins et al. (77) | Prospective, RCT, observer-blinded | Robotic-assisted hysterectomy | Subcostal TAPB (LB vs. bupivacaine) | LB significantly reduced opioid consumption at 72 h and lowered maximal pain scores |
| Hutchins et al. (78) | Prospective, RCT, double-blinded | Robotic/laparoscopic hysterectomy | Subcostal TAPB (LB) vs. port-site infiltration (bupivacaine) | LB TAPB reduced 72 h opioid consumption and improved quality of recovery |
| Turan et al. (79) | Multicenter, RCT | Major abdominal surgery | TAPB (LB) vs. continuous epidural analgesia | LB TAPB noninferior for 72 h pain scores; lower hypotension rates; higher opioid consumption |
| Antony et al. (80). | Pilot, RCT, single-blinded | Cesarean delivery | Surgical TAPB (LB + bupivacaine vs. bupivacaine alone) | No significant difference in 48 h MME; trend toward reduced opioid use with LB |
| Marciniak et al. (81) | RCT | Minimally invasive thoracic surgery | PECS + SAPB (LB + bupivacaine vs. bupivacaine alone) | LB did not improve OBAS, reduce opioid use, or decrease pain scores |
| Hussain et al. (82) | Systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs | Abdominal surgery (pooled) | Various abdominal FPBs (LB vs. plain LA) | Similar analgesic effectiveness between LB and plain LA for abdominal fascial plane blocks |
LB, liposomal bupivacaine; TAPB, transversus abdominis plane block; PECS, pectoralis nerve block; SAPB, serratus anterior plane block; FPB, fascial plane block; LA, local anesthetics; MME, morphine milligram equivalents; OBAS, overall benefit of analgesia score.