Jyotsna Pravin Bhosale

Abstract

Introduction: Shivering is a very common complaint in many patients intra-operatively after spinal anaesthesia. The reasons for shivering are multiple. Several measures are taken to prevent and control shivering under spinal anaesthesia. These measures include pharmacological and non- pharmacological intervention. Pharmacological intervention is an effective method to control shivering under spinal anaesthesia because the drugs for controlling shivering are easily available and it is cost effective. The present study was planned to compare effectiveness of two drugs: Butorphanol and Clonidine which were given intravenously to control shivering under spinal anaesthesia. Material and Methods: The design of study was randomized and double blind. It included total of 60 patients of ASA I/II physical status. These patients were posted for elective surgeries under spinal anaesthesia; which included lower abdominal, urological and lower limb surgeries. Among these; patients who developed shivering of Grade 3 or 4 intra-operatively were included in our study. These patients were randomly divided into two groups: Group C and Group B. Each group included 30 patients. Group C patients were given Clonidine 1 mg /Kg and Group B patients were given Butorphanol 0.03 mg/Kg intravenously. The drugs were given after patient developed shivering of grade 3 / 4 intra-operatively during spinal anaesthesia. Time needed for control of shivering; whether complete or incomplete control of shivering, side effects of drugs and recurrence of shivering were observed and noted. Results: The study groups were comparable with respect to demographic profile, duration of surgery and mean time for onset of shivering. Time required for control of shivering was more with Clonidine (331.33 70.65 seconds) as compared to Butorphanol (81.1737.38 seconds). The incidence of recurrence was significantly more with Clonidine as compared to Butorphanol (P< 0> such as hypotension and bradycardia was significantly higher with Clonidine as compared to Butorphanol. The incidence of sedation was not statistically significant between two groups. Conclusion: Butorphanol is better than Clonidine for control of shivering which occurs intra-operatively under spinal anaesthesia. The advantages of Butorphanol are faster control with lower incidence of recurrence of shivering and lower incidence of side effects such as hypotension and bradycardia. Keywords: Butorphanol, Clonidine, Spinal anaesthesia, Shivering.

Open full article page