Liposomal Bupivacaine vs Bupivacaine for Pain Control After Sternotomy

Liposomal Bupivacaine vs Bupivacaine for Pain Control After Sternotomy

Researchers hope to learn whether giving the longer-acting local anesthetic liposomal bupivacaine prior to closing the sternum is more effective in managing pain following sternotomy, than in patients who received standard bupivacaine before sternal closure. Researchers will measure this based on how much IV pain medication is used, rates on confusion, and time to remove the breathing tube.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adults over the age of 18 who present for elective open heart surgery that requires a sternotomy.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Urgent and emergency procedures,
• preexisting sternal infections,
• prior sternotomy,
• preexisting pain syndromes,
• current chronic home opioid use,
• anterior rib or sternal masses,
• allergy to any of the components of liposomal bupivacaine and plain bupivacaine.