Verapamil as an Adjunct to Local Anaesthetic for Brachial Plexus Blocks

Abstract

Background: Calcium channel blockers potentiate the effects of local anaesthetics. We examined the effect of adding verapamil to local anaesthetic solution on anaesthetic duration in patients undergoing surgery under brachial plexus block.

Methods: This study was a prospective, randomized, controlled, double blind study. Sixty patients undergoing elective upper limb surgery were divided into two groups of 30 each. Group A received 40 ml of 1% lignocaine with 0.25% bupivacaine, while Group B patients had 2.5 mg verapamil added.

Result: Onset of sensory blockade time was marginally faster in Group B (23.2 ± 3.94 minutes) as compared to Group A (23.9 ± 4.13 minutes). However this difference was statistically not significant. The increase in duration of sensory blockade in Group B (185 ± 46.52 minutes) as compared to Group A (157 ± 44.28 minutes) was statistically significant (p= 0.011). Increase in duration of motor blockade in Group B (161 ± 46.14 minutes) as compared to Group A (149 ± 42,76 minutes) was statistically not significant (p = 0.15). Similarly prolongation of analgesic duration in Group B (318 ± 69.54minutes) as compared to Group A (302 ± 0.69 minutes) was statistically not significant (p=0.18).

Conclusion: We conclude that adding verapamil to brachial plexus block can prolong sensory anaesthesia without any effect on analgesic duration.

Keywords: Brachial plexus block; Verapamil.