Intravenous Nimodipine to Reduce Pain and Anesthetic Use During and After Open Colectomy for Bowel Cancer A Double-Blind, Randomized Study

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating the effect of perioperative intravenous nimodipine, a drug that blocks L-type calcium channels and can cross the blood-brain barrier, on pain management and anesthetic requirements in patients undergoing open colectomy for bowel cancer. The trial aims to understand how nimodipine influences opioid use, pain intensity, opioid-related side effects, and early bowel function after surgery. This prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled trial addresses the need for better pain control strategies during and after surgery while minimizing opioid-related complications. Participants are randomly assigned to receive either nimodipine or isotonic saline during the perioperative period. Nimodipine is given continuously at 4 mgh starting one hour before surgery until one hour after surgery begins, then reduced to 2 mgh until 24 hours after surgery ends. The control group receives a matching saline infusion at equivalent rates and timing. Both treatments are prepared in blinded syringes to maintain trial integrity. Throughout the study, patients opioid and anesthetic consumption during surgery and up to 72 hours postoperatively are recorded. Pain intensity, side effects such as sedation, itching, nausea, vomiting, and bowel function recovery are monitored closely. Hospital stay length is also tracked. The study lasts from pre-surgery through 30 days post-surgery, with a focus on detailed pain and medication assessments in the first three days following surgery.

Perioperative Intravenous Nimodipine Trial