Background: Shivering is one of the most common problems in parturients receiving regional
anesthesia during Lower segment cesarean section (LSCS). It usually interferes with the
readings of the oxygen saturation and electrocardiogram. The aim of this study was to evaluate
and compare the effects of intrathecal dexmedetomidine versus intrathecal Magnesium Sulfate
(MgSO4) with hyperbaric bupivacaine for the prevention of post-spinal anesthesia shivering in
LSCS patients.
Results: This prospective study included 150 patients and were randomized into 3 equal groups
(n=50); Group BN patients received with 0.5% of heavy bupivacaine 2.0ml (10mg) with NS
(0.5ml), Group BD patients received dexmedetomidine (5mcg) with 0.5% of heavy
bupivacaine 2.0ml (10mg) and Group BM patients received MgSO4 (25mg) with 0.5% of heavy
bupivacaine 2.0ml (10mg). The primary outcomes were the incidence & intensity of shivering.
The secondary outcomes were the haemodynamic, rescue drug requirement, adverse effects.
The Parturients of control group had more incidence & intensity of shivering than
dexmedetomidine and MgSO4 group, 18 (36.0%), 6 (12.0%) and 8 patients (16.0%)
respectively. Nonsignificant difference of incidence of shivering was observed when
dexmedetomidine group was compared with MgSO4 group. The rescue drug requirement was
significantly lower in dexmedetomidine & MgSO4 group compared to control group.
Conclusion: Hence both, dexmedetomidine and MgSO4 intrathecally are hemodynamically
stable and significantly decreased the incidence & intensity of shivering and rescue drug
requirement with nonsignificant adverse effects in LSCS patients undergoing spinal anesthesia.