On Friday, April 6, the FDA approved a supplemental new drug application (sNDA) for the administration of liposomal bupivacaine (Exparel, Pacira) via interscalene brachial plexus block for postoperative regional analgesia.
Liposomal bupivacaine now becomes the first long-acting, single-dose nerve block available for upper extremity surgeries, such as total shoulder arthroplasty.
The approval comes despite an earlier, marginally negative vote by the FDA’s Anesthetic and Analgesic Drug