Local anesthetics are best way to control pain after surgery. There are very few side effects and the pain often can be completely eliminated, not just covered up with pain pills. They work by blocking the signals that nerves send back to the brain.
Lidocaine
Lidocaine is the most common of the local anesthetics. It has very rapid onset, but only lasts for a few hours. It is very safe medication as long as dose is kept less than 300mg. The most common serious complications are cardiac and central nervous system. This is great anesthetic for operations where there will be very little pain after the operation. For example, removing a skin lesion.
Ropivacaine and Bupivacaine
Ropivacaine and Bupivacaine last much longer than Lidocaine and thus are much more helpful in surgical patients. If injected into the tissues, they will work for about 8 hours. If injected around a nerve, then they will often last for 16 hours. Robivacaine has less cardiac toxicity than Marcaine, but Marcaine is a more effective. The most serious complications from these medications are cardiac and central nervous system. It is best not to exceed using more than 225 mg of either medication. Adding epinephrine or decadron to the Ropivacaine or to the Bupivacaine will increase the duration of pain control. When injecting around a nerve, the preservative free medications are the best.
Bupivacaine Liposome
Bupivacaine liposome (Exparel) is bupivacaine mixed with a lipid. The lipid releases the bupivacaine slowly and thereby prolongs the effectiveness. The slow release also decreases the risk of cardiac or central nervous system toxicity. If injected into the tissues, it will work for about 12 hours. If injected around a nerve, then it will often last for 30 hours. The major downside to Exparel is the price. It costs about $225 a dose.
Dr. Brown and his staff are available to answer your questions and address concerns you might have about your inguinal hernia diagnosis or surgical repair options. Contact them for more information.