Omneity® Pellets
All-In-One Vitamin & Mineral Pellet
Liposomal bupivacaine local analgesia reduces systemic inflammatory responses following equine laparoscopic surgery.
Abstract: Liposomal local anesthetics have been shown to extend analgesia duration and improve pain scores dose-dependently in horses. Our objective was to assess concurrent impact on systemic inflammatory markers. Unassigned: 18 mares (age, 2 to 20 years) with normal ovarian anatomy were enrolled. Laparoscopic bilateral ovariectomies were performed standing with sedation. Local analgesia was: 80 mL bupivacaine hydrochloride (BHCl; n = 6), 30 mL 0.75% BHCl + 20 mL (low-dose) liposomal bupivacaine (LB) expanded to 80 mL with saline (LB20, n = 6), or 30 mL 0.75% BHCl + 40 mL (high-dose) LB expanded to equal volume around incision sites and mesovarium prior to ovariectomy (LB40, n = 6). Whole blood samples were obtained (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 24, 48, and 72 hours), and plasma was separated. Serum amyloid A (SAA) and 23 cytokines were quantified via commercially available kits and multiplex immunoassay, respectively. Unassigned: SAA increased postoperatively from 24 to 72 hours (548.11 ± 726.84, 957.76 ± 1,006.62, and 841.18 ± 953.4, respectively). Serum amyloid A was lower in the LB40 group versus the LB20 group at 48 hours (303 ± 347.74 vs 773.17 ± 733.19) and 72 hours (439.67 ± 461.53 vs 951.6 ± 1,052.4). Cytokine concentrations were quantifiable for 14 cytokines; differences between groups were seen for eotaxin, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, and IL-8. No group had consistently higher or lower values. Unassigned: High-dose LB suppressed the systemic inflammatory response, resulting in lower SAA postoperatively following ovariectomy. Unassigned: Infiltration of extended-duration local anesthetics decreased inflammatory responses postoperatively.
Publication Date: 2026-09-29 PubMed ID: 42810384DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.26.08.0341Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
Overview
- This study investigated whether using liposomal bupivacaine (a long-acting local anesthetic) during equine laparoscopic ovariectomy reduces systemic inflammation, as measured by inflammatory markers and cytokines, compared to standard bupivacaine.
Background
- Liposomal local anesthetics, such as liposomal bupivacaine (LB), release the drug slowly, prolonging pain relief duration in horses after surgery.
- Beyond pain control, the researchers wanted to know if LB also reduces systemic inflammatory responses after surgery, which could promote better recovery.
Study Design and Methods
- Subjects: 18 mares aged 2 to 20 years with normal ovarian anatomy.
- Procedure: All mares underwent standing laparoscopic bilateral ovariectomy under sedation.
- Groups:
- BHCl group: 80 mL of standard bupivacaine hydrochloride alone (6 horses).
- LB20 group: 30 mL 0.75% BHCl plus 20 mL liposomal bupivacaine, diluted to 80 mL (6 horses).
- LB40 group: 30 mL 0.75% BHCl plus 40 mL liposomal bupivacaine, diluted to 80 mL (6 horses).
- Drug administration occurred by infiltration around incision sites and ovarian attachments before surgery.
- Blood collection: At baseline and multiple time points postoperatively (up to 72 hours).
- Laboratory analysis:
- Serum amyloid A (SAA), an acute-phase protein indicating systemic inflammation, was measured.
- A panel of 23 cytokines was analyzed using multiplex immunoassays; 14 were detectable.
Key Findings
- SAA levels increased from 24 to 72 hours after surgery in all groups, reflecting postoperative inflammation.
- The high-dose liposomal bupivacaine group (LB40) had significantly lower SAA levels at 48 and 72 hours compared to the low-dose LB group (LB20), indicating reduced systemic inflammation.
- Cytokine levels showed some differences among groups for eotaxin, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), and interleukin-8 (IL-8), but no consistent pattern of elevation or suppression across groups.
Conclusions and Implications
- Using a higher dose of liposomal bupivacaine as local analgesia during equine laparoscopic ovariectomy suppresses postoperative systemic inflammation better than lower doses or standard bupivacaine alone.
- This anti-inflammatory effect may contribute to improved recovery and pain control after equine surgery beyond the anesthetic’s direct analgesic effects.
- Extended-duration local anesthetic infiltration can be a useful surgical adjunct to reduce systemic inflammatory responses and potentially enhance healing.
- Further research could explore clinical outcomes related to decreased inflammation, such as reduced postoperative complications or faster return to function.
Cite This Article
APA
Luedke L, Clark A, Hendrickson DA, Bass L, Kawahisa-Piquini G, Impastato R, Sabino I, Chow L, Dow S, Pezzanite LM, Griffenhagen GM.
(2026).
Liposomal bupivacaine local analgesia reduces systemic inflammatory responses following equine laparoscopic surgery.
Am J Vet Res, 1-9.
https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.26.08.0341 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Orthopedic Research Center, Translational Medicine Institute, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO.
- Orthopedic Research Center, Translational Medicine Institute, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO.
- Orthopedic Research Center, Translational Medicine Institute, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO.
- Immunotherapy Research Laboratory, Translational Medicine Institute, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO.
- Orthopedic Research Center, Translational Medicine Institute, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO.
- Immunotherapy Research Laboratory, Translational Medicine Institute, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO.
- Orthopedic Research Center, Translational Medicine Institute, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO.
- Immunotherapy Research Laboratory, Translational Medicine Institute, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO.
- Immunotherapy Research Laboratory, Translational Medicine Institute, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO.
- Orthopedic Research Center, Translational Medicine Institute, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO.
- Immunotherapy Research Laboratory, Translational Medicine Institute, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO.
Citations
This article has been cited 0 times.Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
