Study The Effect of Preoperative Epidural Verapamil on The Stress Response and Analgesic Needs During The Postoperative Period After Pelvic Surgery

Abstract

Provision of sedation, analgesia and amnesia during the intra- and postoperative period is one of the most challenging problemsfacing the anesihesiologist. The aim of this work was to evaluate the efficacy of epidural bupivacaine alone or in combination with verapamil in the management of pain both intraoperative and postoperative in pelvic surgery. In this study 60 patients were divided into 2 groups: in group 1: after induction of general anesthesia, JOml. of 0.5% bupivacaine and 5ml. of normal saline were injected in the epidural catheter 15 min. before skin incision. In group II: after induction of general anesthesia, I Om!. of 0.5% hupivacaine and 5mg verapamil in 5ml. of normal saline were injected in the epidural catheter I5 min. before skin incision.It was concluded from the postoperative results that adding 5mg verapamil to bupivacaine 0.5% epidurally had a better pain scores, better sedation scores, lower serum cortisol and glucose levels, with no significant effects on heart rate &blood pressure and it is free of complications.