Posted on March 4, 2022
This was an article for breast reconstruction with flaps, but I think it is applicable to almost any surgery. They are focused on using a multipronged approach to help people heal after a big surgery. They call this ERAS, “Enhanced Recovery after Surgery.”
November 2021 Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Journal, “Defining Enhanced Recovery Pathway with or without Exparel for Flap Breast Reconstruction.” They had started to do the ERAS protocol first, and then they added Exparel to it.
Results:
- They made sure the people were compliant with ERAS.
- Opioid use was reduced in ERAS group, and futher reduced with Exparel (275 pain equivalents to 115 equivalents)
- Hospital length of stay was decreased in ERAS, and again further with Exparel. (3.6 days to 2.6 days)
My thoughts?
GO EXPAREL! This flap reconstruction is akin to a tummy tuck. Exparel works to reduce pain medication use (better for addiction, tolerance, bowel habits, etc) and better for getting up and about. As for the ERAS, see my next blog as to what that entails.