Verapamil as an adjunct to local anaesthetic for brachial plexus blocks

ABSTRACT

Background: Upper extremity surgeries are recently performed under regional anesthesia. Regional anesthesia of the upper extremity has several advantages over general anesthesia, such as improved postoperative pain, decreased postoperative narcotic consumption, and reduced recovery time. Supraclavicular approach of the brachial plexus block has gained importance for surgical and interventional pain management purposes. Supraclavicular brachial plexus block provides an ideal condition for surgery of the upper limb, maintains hemodynamic stability, decreases postoperative pain and allows for early ambulation. However, the duration of the supraclavicular brachial plexus block is limited by the duration of action of the local anesthetic used in the block