Power et al: Incidence and severity of short‐term incisional complications after intraoperative local infiltration of liposomal bupivacaine in dogs
Veterinary Surgery 4, 2022

🔍 Key Findings

• Overall complication rate was 19.7% (43/218), with most being mild (CSS 1).
• Soft tissue procedures had higher complication rates (26%) than orthopedic procedures (11.6%) (P < 0.01).
• No difference in complication rates between clean, clean-contaminated, and contaminated wounds (P = 0.55).
• No difference in complication rates between labeled use (CCL surgery) and off-label orthopedic procedures (P = 0.21).
• Majority of complications (63%) were mild, resolving without intervention or with topical therapy.
• Severe complications requiring revision surgery were rare (2.3%) and occurred mainly in soft-tissue surgeries.
• Most common complications included SSI (25.6%), dehiscence (16.3%), and seroma (14%).
• Liposomal bupivacaine appears safe for use in broader orthopedic procedures beyond current labeling.