Comparison of The Efficacy of Dexmedetomidine Versus Tramadol on Post-Spinal Anesthesia Shivering at Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, Karachi

Abstract

Objective: To compare the efficacy of dexmedetomidine versus tramadol on post-spinal anesthesia shivering at Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, Karachi.

Methodology: This Randomized control trial was conducted at Department of Anesthesia, Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, Karachi, from 05-06-21 till 05-12-21. Patients aged 20 to 60 years of either gender, classified as ASA ? II, who developed post-spinal anesthesia shivering were included. Patients were randomly assigned to two groups: Group A received intravenous Dexmedetomidine (0.5 µg/kg, 1 µg/ml concentration) over 10 minutes after shivering began post-spinal block, while Group B received intravenous Tramadol (0.5 mg/kg, 1 mg/ml concentration) over the same period. Outcomes assessed as  shivering resolution within 15 minutes, absence of recurrence (grade ?3), and time taken for shivering to stop after drug administration. Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS version 20.

Results: In the dexmedetomidine group, the mean age was 48.21?±?6.24 years, mean time to disappearance of shivering was 12.54?±?1.78 seconds, and mean time to recurrence of shivering was 37.4?±?10.54 minutes. Similarly, in the tramadol group (n = 77), the mean age was 49.48?±?8.41 years, time to disappearance of shivering was 14.52?±?8.56 seconds, and time to recurrence was 32.8?±?11.89 minutes. Efficacy was observed in 73 patients (94.8%) in the dexmedetomidine group and in 60 patients (77.9%) in the tramadol group, with a statistically significant difference (p = 0.01).

Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine was observed to be a useful alternative to tramadol for the management of post-spinal anesthesia shivering, offering faster relief with fewer incidences of nausea and vomiting.

Keywords: Anesthesia, Dexmedetomidine, Tramadol, Shivering, effectiveness