Preclinical safety and feasibility of a bupivacaine-loaded hydrogel for pain relief after spinal surgery.

ABSTRACT: Pain and side effects of analgesics hinder postoperative recovery after instrumented spine surgery. Current locoregional blocks and sustained-release formulations are limited by rapid systemic absorption. We evaluated the local and systemic safety of a bupivacaine-loaded hydrogel, co-implanted with pedicle screws, in a sheep spine surgery model. Gelatin-based ring-shaped hydrogels containing bupivacaine crystals (305 mg total) were implanted with screws in eight sheep (Group C). Control groups included screws only (Group A), screws with unloaded hydrogels (Group B), and subcutaneous (SC) bupivacaine infiltration (150 mg, Group D). Plasma drug levels, systemic safety parameters, and histological host reaction at 6 and 56 days were assessed. All animals recovered without complications. Group

SUBMITTER: Steverink JG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12405555 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature