Efficacy of Epidural Verapamil on Preemptive Analgesia in Knee Arthroscopy
Department of Anesthesiology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt
Ayman Eskander Tawfek Saadalla, Osama Yehia Ahmad Khalifa, “Efficacy of Epidural Verapamil on Preemptive
Analgesia in Knee Arthroscopy”, American Research Journal of Anesthesia, Vol 1, no. 1, 2022, pp. 4-7.
Abstract
Background: The goals of preemptive analgesia are to decrease acute pain after tissue injury, prevent pathologic
modulation of central nervous system caused by pain and prevent the development of chronic pain. The goal of this study
is to evaluate analgesic efficacy of verapamil when added to epidural bupivacaine and fentanyl in patients undergoing
knee arthroscopy.
Patients and Methods: Forty patients undergoing knee arthroscopy were classified into 2 groups, first group (F) received
epidural bupivacaine and fentanyl and second group (F-V) received epidural bupivacaine, fentanyl and verapamil. Pain
assessment using prince henry score, the first time patient ask for analgesia (duration of analgesia) and post-operative
analgesic consumption were recorded.
Results: The duration of analgesia was significantly longer in group (F-V) than group (F). The total dose required for 24
hrs. postoperative analgesia was significantly reduced in group(F-V) compared to group (F). There was highly significant
reduction in prince hennery score in group (F-V) in comparison to group (F) from 6th to 12th hours post operatively
Conclusion: Epidural verapamil with fentanyl and bupivacaine produce effective and prolonged post-operative analgesia
in patients undergoing knee arthroscopy compared with epidural bupivacaine and fentanyl alone.
