Research Article

The Safety of EXPAREL ® (Bupivacaine Liposome Injectable Suspension) Administered by Peripheral Nerve Block in Rabbits and Dogs

Table 1

Injection site microscopic findings in rabbits (combined sexes).

Day 3ObservationsSeverity gradeSalineEXP 9 mg/kgEXP 18 mg/kgEXP 30 mg/kgBsol 9 mg/kg

Brachial plexus,
distal
Hemorrhageminimal00101
moderate01100
Inflammation, granulomatousminimal03110
Inflammation, subacuteminimal00001

Brachial plexus, middleHemorrhageminimal02010
moderate01000
Inflammation, granulomatousminimal01130
Inflammation, subacuteminimal00100

Brachial plexus, proximalHemorrhageminimal00110
mild01000
moderate01000
Inflammation, granulomatousminimal00110
Inflammation, subacuteminimal01100

Day 15

Brachial plexus,
distal
Hemorrhageminimal01100
mild00110
moderate00010
Inflammation, subacuteminimal01000

Brachial plexus, middleFibrosisminimal00001
Hemorrhageminimal01102
mild00001
Inflammation, granulomatousmild00100
Inflammation subacuteminimal01000
Mineralizationminimal00100

Brachial plexus, proximalHemorrhageminimal02000
mild01110
moderate00001

EXP, EXPAREL (bupivacaine liposome injectable suspension); Bsol, bupivacaine solution.
Note: number of animals examined was 4/group on Day 3 or Day 15.