Key result
Bupivacaine-loaded hydrogel rings deliver sustained release in sheep, exceeding systemic drug levels by ~2300-fold.
Why the study?
Postoperative pain after instrumented spinal surgery often lasts three days, but current non-opioid sustained-release local anesthetics have limited efficacy beyond 24 hours.
Does a sustained-release bupivacaine hydrogel provide safe and localized drug delivery in a sheep model of spinal surgery?
Comparison
Six bupivacaine-loaded hydrogel rings mounted on pedicle screws (total dose 220 mg)
Design
Preclinical animal study
Follow-up
9 months
Authors
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Supports localized delivery feasibility in sheep spinal models; leaves open human translation and trials.
Does a sustained-release bupivacaine hydrogel provide safe and localized drug delivery in a sheep model of spinal surgery?
A novel sustained-release bupivacaine hydrogel co-implanted with pedicle screws demonstrated safe, localized, and sustained drug delivery over 72 hours in a sheep model.
Steverink et al. (2025) studied Postoperative pain in instrumented spinal surgery (n=15). Bupivacaine-loaded hydrogel rings was evaluated on Wound and systemic drug levels, hydrogel degradation and histological response. Bupivacaine-loaded hydrogel rings mounted on pedicle screws in a sheep model provided sustained first-order release over 72 hours, with wound fluid levels exceeding plasma levels 2300-fold.
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