Double-Blinded Randomized Controlled Study Investigating the Efficacy of Exparel (Liposomal Bupivacaine) for Postoperative Pain Relief in Mandibular Third Molar Extractions

University of Southern California

Status and phase: Completed; Phase 4

Conditions: Post Operative Pain

Treatments: Drug: 0.5% bupivacaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine; Drug: Liposomal bupivacaine

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05374499

APP2200106

Details and patient eligibility

About

The most prevalent complaint after third molar extractions is pain. There have been many modalities and regimens developed to manage post-operative pain, such as modifications in surgical techniques, locally-applied medicaments, and oral analgesics. Recently, liposomal bupivacaine (Exparel) has been FDA approved for single-dose infiltration in the oral cavity in adults and children (6 years or older) to produce extended postsurgical local anesthesia. We hypothesize that the administration of liposomal bupivacaine (Exparel) at the end of third molar extractions will decrease postoperative pain and decrease narcotic use for pain management.

Full description

In this study, we will prospectively collect data from all patients receiving bilateral third molar extractions with Exparel versus 0.5% bupivacaine 1:200,000 epinephrine (standard bupivacaine) injections to determine the efficacy of Exparel in reducing postoperative pain. Outcomes measured will be pain intensity based on a numeric scale, date and time when pain completely subsides for each side, adverse events, use of NSAID or acetaminophen outside of prescribed pain regimen, and use of narcotics. The purpose of this research project is to evaluate the use and efficacy of Exparel in postoperative pain management in third molar extractions.

Enrollment: 73 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 14+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Patients receiving bilateral mandibular third molar extractions at the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry by an oral & maxillofacial surgery resident.

Exclusion criteria

• Patient unable to complete form for four days postoperatively.
• Patient with severe hepatic disease
• Patient with a history of allergy or contraindication to amide-type LA or opioids
• Patient with recent history of antibiotic use within the past thirty days
• Patients with use of long-acting opioids, NSAIDs, aspirin, acetaminophen within 3 days prior to screening.
• Patients who are pregnant.
• Patients receiving additional mandibular teeth extractions.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Prevention

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: Quadruple Blind

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73 participants in 2 patient groups

Liposomal bupivacaine

Experimental group

Description:

A double-blinded randomization process will be used to preoperatively assign patient's left or right side to receive either Exparel (Liposomal bupivacaine) (39.9 mg/3 mL) or standard bupivacaine (5 mg/mL). At the end of the mandibular third molar extraction surgical procedure and at least twenty minutes following the most recent administration of 2% lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine (routine for this procedure), all patients will receive one side of their mandibular infiltrations with 3mL of 1.3% liposomal bupivacaine (Exparel).

Treatment:

Drug: Liposomal bupivacaine

0.5% bupivacaine with 1:200,000 epinephrine

Active Comparator group

Description:

A double-blinded randomization process will be used to preoperatively assign patient's left or right side to receive either Exparel (Liposomal bupivacaine) (39.9 mg/3 mL) or standard bupivacaine (5 mg/mL). At the end of the procedure and at least twenty minutes following the most recent administration of 2% lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine (routine for this procedure), all patients will receive one side of their mandibular infiltrations with 3mL of diluted 0.5% bupivacaine with 1:200,000 epinephrine.

Treatment:

Drug: 0.5% bupivacaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine