Comparison of Intravenous Dexmedetomidine and Tramadol for Management of Post-Spinal Anesthesia Shivering in Obstetric Cases

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study is to compare the efficacy of dexmedetomidine and tramadol in controlling postspinal anesthesia shivering in female patients after cesarean section. Study Design and Setting: Quasi-experimental Study. Anesthesia Department of Combined Military Hospital, Thal from October 2022-March 2023. Methodology: This study was conducted in ASA I and II patients aged 18-45. Sixty patients were enrolled for the study, who were divided into two group, group D received Inj dexmedetomidine (0.5mcg/kg) while group T received Inj Tramadol (0.5mg/kg). Time from injection of drug to cessation of shivering was recorded. End point of study was 30 mins after entry of patient in Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU). Results: The study found that both drugs were effective in preventing shivering, but dexmedetomidine had a faster onset of action and a longer duration of action than tramadol. Mean time of cessation of shivering in both groups was calculated. In group D mean time of cessation was 2.9 ±0.9 while in group T it was 3.75 ±0.9. P-value was found to be highly significant 0.001. Conclusion: The study concludes that dexmedetomidine is a more effective and safer alternative to tramadol for management of shivering in patients undergoing lower segment cesarean section under spinal anesthesia.