Efficacy of Liposomal Bupivacaine Scalp Nerve Block for Postoperative Pain Management After Supratentorial Craniotomy

1. Background and Rationale: Postoperative pain following supratentorial craniotomy is a significant clinical concern, often requiring opioid-based analgesia. However, opioid use in neurosurgical patients is limited by side effects such as sedation, respiratory depression, and nausea, which can obscure neurological assessment and delay recovery. Scalp nerve blocks (SNBs) with local anesthetics like bupivacaine are a well-established component of multimodal analgesia for craniotomy, targeting the primary sources of postoperative pain-the pericranial muscles and scalp tissues. While effective, conventional bupivacaine provides analgesia for only up to 6-8 hours, leaving patients with inadequate pain control during the critical 72-hour postoperative period. Liposomal bupivacaine (LB) is an extended-release formulation designed to provide sustained analgesia for up to 72 hours. Its efficacy has been demonstrated in various surgical settings, but its application in neurosurgery, particularly for scalp nerve blocks, remains underexplored. This study aims to investigate whether a single preoperative scalp nerve block with liposomal bupivacaine can provide superior and prolonged analgesia compared to standard bupivacaine, thereby reducing opioid consumption and improving patient outcomes following craniotomy.
2. Objectives: Primary Objective: To compare the efficacy of liposomal bupivacaine versus standard bupivacaine for scalp nerve blocks in controlling postoperative pain, as measured by the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) at 2, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours after surgery. Secondary Objectives: To assess differences in cumulative opioid consumption postoperatively. To evaluate patient satisfaction using a standardized satisfaction scale. To monitor neurological status using the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). To record the incidence of adverse events (e.g., infection, hematoma, neurological deficits).
3. Study Design: Design: Prospective, single-center, randomized, controlled, parallel-group trial. Randomization: Eligible participants will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to either the intervention group (liposomal bupivacaine) or the control group (standard 0.5% bupivacaine). Randomization will be performed using a computer-generated sequence. Blinding: Outcome assessors and data analysts will be blinded to group assignments. Due to the nature of the intervention, treating clinicians will not be blinded.
4. Participants: Inclusion Criteria: Adults aged 18-64 years. Scheduled for elective supratentorial craniotomy under general anesthesia. ASA physical status I-III. Preoperative GCS score of 15. Ability to provide informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: Chronic pain syndromes, opioid tolerance, or psychiatric disorders. Coagulopathy or infection at the block site. Allergy to local anesthetics. BMI <15 or >35.
5. Interventions: Intervention Group: Preoperative scalp nerve block with liposomal bupivacaine. Control Group: Preoperative scalp nerve block with 0.5% bupivacaine. Both groups will receive standardized general anesthesia and postoperative analgesia, including rescue opioids.
6. Outcome Measures: Primary Outcome: NRS pain scores at 2, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours postoperatively. Secondary Outcomes: Opioid consumption (morphine equivalents). Patient satisfaction scores (5-point Likert scale). GCS scores. Adverse events related to the block or study drugs.
7. Sample Size: A total of 118 participants (59 per group) will be enrolled, accounting for a 20% dropout rate. This provides 90% power to detect a 25% difference in analgesia duration at a 5% significance level.
8. Statistical Analysis:

Data will be analyzed using SPSS v25.0. Continuous variables will be compared using t-tests or Mann-Whitney U tests; categorical variables will be analyzed with chi-square or Fisher's exact tests. Repeated-measures ANOVA will assess pain scores over time. A p-value <0.05 will be considered statistically significant.