Abstract P2-12-18: Outpatient mastectomy with reconstruction in a freestanding surgery center using multimodality opiod-sparing perioperative analgesia including liposomal bupivacaine
Authors: Rock DT , Jandik AL , Wittenborn WS , Fairfax K , Sandadi S 
Published: May 2016

HYPOTHESIS:

The introduction of effective non-narcotic analgesics and the long-acting local anesthetic bupivacaine liposome (Exparel) has resulted in improved postoperative pain control and decreased reliance on opioid analgesics that often have the undesirable adverse effects of sedation, nausea, respiratory depression, and dysphoria or confusion. This has resulted in shorter postoperative care unit stays, earlier return to normal activity, and improved patient satisfaction without sacrificing appropriate pain control. Based on a positive experience with these agents in the inpatient setting, we hypothesized that mastectomy with immediate implant-based reconstruction could be performed safely in a freestanding outpatient surgery center using a multimodality opioid-sparing analgesic regimen.

METHOD:

Over a 6 month period we performed unilateral or bilateral mastectomy with concurrent implant-based reconstruction on 20 patients. One patient had a unilateral mastectomy and 19 patients had bilateral mastectomy performed. Sixteen of the patients had nipple sparing mastectomy procedures. Reconstruction was performed with tissue expanders in 6 patients and as a single stage procedure with silicone gel implants in 14 patients. Acellular dermal matrix was used to support the implant in all but 1 patient. All patients were given gabapentin 600mg on the evening prior to and morning of surgery. Acetaminophen 1gm IV was given prior to induction of anesthesia in the preoperative area and again 6 hours later in the post anesthesia care unit. Ketorolac 30mg IV was given during the last half of the surgical procedure. All patients had general anesthesia with standard inhalational agents and IV fentanyl as needed. The retropectoral and serratus fascia were infiltrated with liposomal bupivacaine after surgical removal of the breast tissue, before reconstruction was started. The drain sites were also infiltrated with liposomal bupivacaine. Patients were discharged with prescriptions for gabapentin 300mg twice daily for 7 days followed by 300mg nightly for 7 days, carisoprodol 350mg every 6 hours as needed for muscle spasms, ibuprofen 800 mg every 8 hours for 5 days, hydrocodone/acetaminophen every 4 hours as needed for pain, and oral antibiotics of the surgeon's choice.

RESULTS:

All 20 patients completed their surgery and were discharged home after a brief stay in the postoperative care unit. No patient required readmission for pain control or any other complication in the perioperative period. No patient reported inadequate pain control. All patients were highly satisfied with their perioperative care as reported during postoperative follow-up phone calls the day after surgery and during their post-operative follow up visit.

CONCLUSION:

In our experience, outpatient mastectomy with reconstruction in a freestanding surgery center is safe and has a high degree of patient satisfaction when using a multimodality opioid-sparing analgesia regimen including liposomal bupivacaine. By avoiding opioid-related adverse effects, patients have a more rapid recovery, earlier return to activities of daily living, and therefore improved quality of life. Proper patient selection requires a multidisciplinary team approach for success.

Citation Format: Rock DT, Jandik AL, Wittenborn WS, Fairfax K, Sandadi S. Outpatient mastectomy with reconstruction in a freestanding surgery center using multimodality opiod-sparing perioperative analgesia including liposomal bupivacaine. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-12-18.