TAP (Transverse Abdominis Plane) Block With Exparel (Liposomal Bupivicaine) vs. Bupivicaine Post-op Pain Management

Subjects recruited into the study will undergo surgery as scheduled. During the procedure they will receive a TAP Block with one of the pain medications. TAP Block in the experimental arm will be performed with 20 mL (266mg) of liposomal bupivacaine with 25 mL (5 mg/mL) of bupivacaine diluted in 55 mL of normal saline. The control arm will have a TAP Block performed with 30 mL (5mg/mL) of bupivacaine diluted in 70 mL of normal saline. These doses are consistent with prior studies of TAP Block with liposomal bupivacaine. Subjects will be monitored for pain as per standard of care and will be given pain medication as needed.

Subject Recruitment and Screening Patients will be recruited from the Ochsner Colorectal Surgery Clinic at the time of a preoperative visit.

Study Procedures

Screening & Baseline Visit After obtaining informed consent the subjects relevant medical and surgical history will be documented. Demographics and vitals will be documented. Current use of pain medication will be recorded. A physical exam will be performed.

Day of Surgery Routine vital signs will be obtained preoperatively. During the operation subject will receive a TAP Block containing their randomized local injection mixture as described above. Following surgery the subject will recover the PACU and pain medication will be provided on demand. Initial postoperative vital signs and pain scores will be obtained at this time.