EFFICACY OF LEVOBUPIVACAINE (0.5%) WITH VERAPAMIL (2.5 mg) FOR BRACHIAL PLEXUS BLOCK

Dr. Murali Krishna Chava; Dr. Chaitanya Birlangi

Volume : V, Issue : XII, December - 2016

EFFICACY OF LEVOBUPIVACAINE (0.5%) WITH VERAPAMIL (2.5 mg) FOR BRACHIAL PLEXUS BLOCK

Dr. Murali Krishna Chava, Dr. Chaitanya Birlangi

Abstract :

Background: Calcium ions have an important role in analgesia mediated by local anaesthetics. Clinical trials have shown that verapamil can potentiate the analgesic effect of local anesthetics. In addition calcium ions play an important role in opioid receptor mediated analgesia also. AIM: ?e aim of this study is to evaluate whether additional anesthetic and analgesic effect could be derived from administration of verapamil a calcium channel blocker into achial plexus sheath. OBJECTIVES: ?e objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of adding verapamil to levobupivacaine solution for supraclavicular achial plexus blockade on onset and duration of sensory blockade , duration of analgesia and duration of motor block. METHOD: 60 ASA I and II patients undergoing upper limb surgeries lasting more than 30 minutes were included in the study. Patients were randomised into two groups ( A & B) of 30 each and blinded. Group A(n=30) received achial plexus block with 40ml of 0.5% Levobupivacaine with 1 ml normal saline, group B(n=30) received achial plexus block with 40ml of 0.5% Levobupivacaine with Verapamil 2.5mg (1ml). RESULTS: ?e duration of sensory blockade was prolonged in group B (p=0.020) which was statistically significant, onset of sensory blockade, duration of analgesia and motor blockade were statistically not significant when compared to group A. CONCLUSION: Addition of verapamil to levobupivacaine solution for achial plexus block prolongs the duration of sensory blockade, although the dosage used in our study did not significantly modify the duration of analgesia, it does suggest that there is scope for further using calcium channel blockers as an adjuvant to local anaesthetics. CONCLUSION: Addition of verapamil to levobupivacaine solution for achial plexus block prolongs the duration of sensory blockade, although the dosage used in our study did not significantly modify the duration of analgesia, it does suggest that there is scope for further using calcium channel blockers as an adjuvant to local anaesthetics