Abstract

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of ketamine versus dexmedetomidine for prophylaxis of shivering caused by spinal anesthesia.
Methodology: This Quasi-experimental study was done in the department of Anesthesiology, CMH, Peshawar from Jan to Jun 2023. A total of 146 patients of both genders planned for lower limb and abdominal surgeries under subarachnoid (spinal) block were segregated into two separate groups. Group A patients received ketamine (0.5 mg/kg) infusion over 10 minutes and Group B patients received dexmedetomidine (0.5mcg/kg) infusion over same time interval just before subarachnoid block. All patients were observed for development of shivering till 45 minutes of intra-operative period. The efficacy of anti-shivering effects of both drugs was compared between study groups.
Results: Mean age of the patients was 35.28± 10.73 years in the study group A while 32.38±9.27 years in the study set B (p=0.082). Mean BMI was 29.278±5.05 Kg/m2 in group A while 28.32±4.64 Kg/m2 in group B (p=0.197). Initial body (core) temperature was 36.88±0.32 °C in group A while 36.81±0.24 °C in group B (p=0.121). Absence of shivering was appreciated in 42 (57.5%) subjects in Group A as compared to 56 (76.7%) patients in Group B (p=0.014).
Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine had superior efficacy compared to ketamine for the prophylaxis of shivering caused by spinal anesthesia.

Key words: Dexmedetomidine, ketamine, shivering, subarachnoid block.