Liposomal Bupivacaine Associated with Cost Savings during Postoperative Pain Management in Fragility Intertrochanteric Hip Fractures
Nainisha Chintalapudi, Avinesh Agarwalla, Jeffrey Bortman, Joana Lu, Hrayr G. Basmajian, Nirav H. Amin, Joseph N. Liu
Abstract
Background: Intertrochanteric hip fractures are among the most common and most expensive diagnoses in the Medicare population. Liposomal bupivacaine is a novel preparation of a commonly used analgesic agent that, when used intraoperatively, decreases narcotic requirements and hospital length of stay and increases the likelihood of discharge to home. The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether there was an economic benefit to utilizing intraoperative liposomal bupivacaine in patients with fragility intertrochanteric hip fractures in comparison to a group of patients who did not receive liposomal bupivacaine. Methods: < 0.05. Results: = 0.004). The cost-benefit analysis indicated that for an investment of $334.18 in the administration of 266 mg of liposomal bupivacaine, there was a relative saving of $1,323.21 compared to the control group. The benefit-cost ratio was 3.95, indicating a $3.95 benefit for each $1 spent in liposomal bupivacaine. Conclusions: Despite the increased initial cost, intraoperative use of liposomal bupivacaine was found to be a cost-effective intervention due to the higher likelihood of discharge to home during the postoperative management of patients with intertrochanteric hip fractures.