Effectiveness of Prophylactic Ketamine on Shivering in Cesarean Section after Spinal Anesthesia

Abstract

Background: Regional anesthesia, including spinal or epidural techniques, can disrupt the body's ability to regulate temperature, leading to a heightened risk of shivering. Studies have indicated that shivering occurs in up to 55% of patients undergoing procedures under regional anesthesia. To address this issue, numerous medications have been explored for their potential to prevent post-anesthetic shivering. Objective: To assess the effectiveness of prophylactic ketamine on shivering in cesarean section after spinal anesthesia. Study Design: Prospective, randomized, double blind, clinical trial.

Settings: Department of Anesthesiology, Surgical Intensive Care Unit and Pain Management, Civil Hospital Karachi Pakistan. Duration: Six months from August 2019 to January 2020.  Methods: A total of 60 patients undergoing spinal anesthesia for elective cesarean section were included in this study. Two groups A and B were formed and patients were equally divided into these groups by lottery method. Group A were treated with ketamine 0.5 mg/kg I/V and group B treated with normal saline 0.05ml/kg/I/V.  Grade 0-1 shivering was labeled as effective and shivering grade 2, 3 or 4 at 15 minutes after administration of the drug, was considered ineffective. Results: The average age of the patients was 28.33 ± 5.67 Years. Rate of shivering was significantly high in patients who were treated with normal saline than ketamine in which shivering was not observed (53.3 vs. 0% respectively; P value of 0.0005). This implies that effectiveness was significantly high in groups A than group B (100% vs. 46.7%). Conclusion: Ketamine observed to be the effective drug for the treatment of postanesthetic shivering. It should be considered prophylactically in any patient undergoing spinal anesthesia.