About this trial
This study will compare the use of single-shot Exparel, a long-acting local anesthestic, with the use of catheters that deliver a continuous flow of the short-acting local anesthetic ropivacaine. The comparison will be done in patients who receive preoperative adductor and sciatic nerve blocks prior to orthopedic surgery for traumatic lower extremity injury. The patients' pain will then be monitored for up to 72 hours after injection, measuring every 12 hours after injection until the 72-hour mark. Opioid consumption (measured in morphine milligram equivalents) will also be tracked over this time period.
Eligibility criteria
Qualifiers
Closed lower extremity orthopedic injury
Opioid naive patients
No other significant surgical injuries on admission as determined by study physician
Disqualifiers
Allergy to local anesthetics
Multiple traumatic injuries
Weight less than 60 kg
Prior opioid use or risk of increased pain control needs as determined by PI
Trial design
Treatments tested in this trial
- Bupivacaine
- Exparel + Bupivacaine