BackgroundHypothermia and shivering are common complications after spinal anaesthesia, especially after uroscopic procedures in which large amounts of cold intraluminal irrigation fluids are used. Magnesium sulfate and dexmedetomidine are the most effective adjuvants with the least side effects. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of intrathecal dexmedetomidine versus intrathecal magnesium sulfate on the prevention of post-spinal anaesthesia shivering.MethodsThis prospective randomized, double-blinded controlled study included 105 patients who were scheduled for uroscopic surgery at the Kasr El-Aini Hospital. The patients were randomly allocated into three groups. Group C (n = 35) received 2.5 ml of hyperbaric bupivacaine 0.5% (12.5 mg) + 0.5 ml of normal saline, Group M (n = 35) received 2.5 ml of hyperbaric bupivacaine 0.5% (12.5 mg) + 25 mg of magnesium sulfate in 0.5 ml saline, and Group D (n = 35) received 2.5 ml of hyperbaric bupivacaine 0.5% (12.5 mg) + 5 μg of dexmedetomidine in 0.5 ml saline. The primary outcomes were the incidence and intensity of shivering. The secondary outcomes were the incidence of hypothermia, sedation, the use of meperidine to control shivering and complications.ResultsGroup C had significantly higher proportions of patients who developed shivering (21), developed grade IV shivering (20) and required meperidine (21) to treat shivering than group M (8,5,5) and group D (5,3,6), which were comparable to each other.The time between block administration and meperidine administration was similar among the three groups. Hypothermia did not occur in any of the patients.The three groups were comparable regarding the occurrence of nausea, vomiting, bradycardia and hypotension. All the patients in group C, 32 patients in group M and 33 patients in group D had a sedation score of 2. Three patients in group M and 2 patients in group D had a sedation score of 3.ConclusionsIntrathecal injections of both dexmedetomidine and magnesium sulfate were effective in reducing the incidence of post-spinal anaesthesia shivering. Therefore, we encourage the use of magnesium sulfate, as it is more physiologically available, more readily available in most operating theatres and much less expensive than dexmedetomidine.Trial registrationClinical trial registration ID: Pan African Clinical Trial Registry (PACTR) Trial Number PACTR201801003001727; January 2018, “retrospectively registered”.

Background: Hypothermia and shivering are associated common complications after spinal anesthesia especially in uroscopic procedures when large amounts of cold intraluminal irrigating fluids are used. Among all adjuvants that have been used in literatures for shivering management, magnesium sulphate and dexmedetomidine were the most effective with least side effects. Our aim of the study is to compare the effect of intrathecal dexmedetomidine versus intrathecal magnesium sulfate in prevention of post spinal shivering. Methods: This prospective randomized, double-blinded controlled study was conducted at Kasr El-Aini Hospital from September 2017 till April 2018, on 105 patients scheduled for uroscopic surgeries. 105 patients were randomly allocated into three groups using computerized generated random tables, Group C (n=35) received 2.5 ml hyperbaric bupivacaine 0.5% (12.5 mg) +0.5 ml normal saline, Group M (n=35) received 2.5 ml hyperbaric bupivacaine 0.5% (12.5 mg) +25 mg magnesium sulfate and Group D (n=35) received 2.5 ml hyperbaric bupivacaine 0.5% (12.5mg) + 5 μg dexmedetomidine in 0.5 ml saline. Primary outcomes were the incidence and intensity of shivering. Secondary outcomes were incidence of hypothermia (Temp < 36° C), sedation, the use of pethidine to control shivering and complications as hypotension, bradycardia, nausea and vomiting. Results: C group showed statistically significant higher number of total patients who developed shivering (21), patients who developed grade IV shivering (20) and patients who needed pethidine (21) to treat shivering than M group (8,5,5) and D group (5,3,6) which were comparable to each other. Time needed to give pethidine after giving the block was similar in the three groups. Hypothermia didn’t occur in any patient in the three groups. The three groups were comparable regarding occurrence of nausea, vomiting, bradycardia & hypotension. All patients of C group, 32 patients in M group and 33 patients in D group had sedation score of 2. 3 patients in M group and 2 patients in D group had a sedation score of 3. Conclusions: intrathecal injection of dexmedetomidine and magnesium sulfate in spinal anesthesia were both effective in reducing the incidence of post spinal shivering. So, we encourage the use of magnesium sulphate being more physiological, readily available in most operating theatres and much cheaper than dexmedetomidine. Clinical trial registration ID: PACTR201801003001727