Exparel and Tummy Tuck Surgery?
Exparel can be used for for patients undergoing tummy tuck surgery with or without the use of drains.
This medication is a longer-lasting version of the already widely used medication Bupivacaine;
it allows for pain control for up to 72 hours. (Tom J. Pousti, MD, FACS, San Diego Plastic Surgeon)
Exparel and Drains in a Tummy Tuck
Exparel can be used in tummy tucks with or without drains. The advantage is potentially three days of increased pain relief. The disadvantage.Exparel is expensive and adds too much cost for some patients.
We offer it as an option for our patients. (Herluf G. Lund, Jr, MD, Saint Louis Plastic Surgeon)
Exparel Tummy Tuck
Exparel is a long acting local anesthetic that can be used with or without drains in a tummy tuck. It can be costly but if you are interested, it is something that you should request from your surgeon. (Sacha Obaid, MD, Dallas Plastic Surgeon)
Exparel and Progressive Tension Suture tummy tuck
The short answer is Exparel can be used with any type of tummy tuck, and has been very helpful in reducing post-operative discomfort for up to 3 days (when usually you begin to feel better anyway.) Theoretically, the use of drains might pull some of the Exparel out, but that does not seem to be the case.
Either way. the “drainless tummy tuck” is one version of the pregressive tension suture method, which I have been using for 15 years. I still think mdrains are useful but they can be removed much earlier. (Richard Baxter, MD, Seattle Plastic Surgeon)
You can use Exparel whether you use drain or no drain for tummy tuck. Using long acting pain relieve and continues pain catheter are ways to help with reducing initial postop pain and discomfort.
Use of drain is for suctioning out blood and fluids which can accumulate right after surgery. You can have it either way. Make sure talk to your surgeon about it prior to your surgery. (Stewart Wang, MD, FACS, Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon)
Exparel Injections in Tummy Tuck Surgery
Exparel can be used in any type of tummy tuck whether drains are used or not. It is injected into the tissues and the muscles and will be effective regardless if the abdominal space is drained. (Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD, Indianapolis Plastic Surgeon)
Exparel and Tummy Tucks
Exparel may be injected at the time of closure to help with postoperative pain relief. With regard to how much of this stays confined to the area and how much migrates I am not sure.
This would be a theoretical reason why it may not be used when drains are in place. (Kenneth B. Hughes, MD, Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon)
Exparel can be used with or without tummy tuck drains. It is an ultralong duration local anesthetic ( 3 days), and is injected into the tissues and is not suctioned out by the drains. It is used in many types of surgery in addition to tummy tucks, again both with and without drains. (Jourdan Gottlieb, MD, Seattle Plastic Surgeon)
Exparel for post op pain control
Exparel is a new long acting formulation of a local anesthetic. It can be used after many kinds of surgery including cosmetic surgery to provide pain relief. As it is still new, we are all learning where it can be most helpful. Ask your doctor about using it for your surgery. The use of a drain should not affect the use of Exparel. (Margaret Skiles, MD, Sacramento Plastic Surgeon)