Injection of Bupivacaine into the Pleural and Mediastinal Drains: A Novel Approach for Decreasing Incident Pain After Cardiac Surgery – Montreal Heart Institute Experience

Background We conducted a chart review of prospectively collected data in order to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of an innovative technique of pleural and mediastinal drain injections. Methods Patients who had undergone cardiac surgery and who continued to have pain despite the use of a multimodal pain protocol received injections of 20 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine in pleural and/or mediastinal chest drainage tubes. Results Patients were evaluated for the incidence mediastinitis, osteitis, and deep sternal wound infection as well as the speed and intensity of pain relief. The odds ratio of infection in the infused group was 0.955 (CI = 0.4705, 1.9384). The adjusted mean “decrease in pain” was 4.01 (SEM = 0.15 and 95% CI = 3.78, 4.38), using the 11-point Likert Numerical Rating Scale. The mean adjusted “time to maximum pain relief” was 8.33 minutes (SEM = 0.42 and 95% CI = 7.50, 9.15). Conclusion This technique is a powerful, safe, and efficient tool in the armamentarium of pain management and its growing use within our institution has provided a substantial benefit in the treatment of early post-operative pain.