International Journal of Medical and All Body Health Research  |  e-ISSN: 2582-8940  |  Double-Blind Peer Review  |  Open Access  |  CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

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International Journal of Medical and All Body Health Research

e-ISSN: 2582-8940 | Open Access

A Comparative Study Between Dexmedetomidine and Dexamethasone as an Intrathecal Adjuvant for Prevention of Perioperative Shivering in Cesarean Section

Dr. Khushboo, Dr. Shailja Sharma, Dr. Sanjay Kumar Lal, Dr. Keshav Dev Jagar, Dr. Nikhil Vaid

Postgraduate Resident, Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, Saraswathi Institute of Medical Sciences, Pilkhuwa, Hapur, Uttar Pradesh, India; HOD & Professor, Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, Saraswathi Institute of Medical Sciences, Pilkhuwa, Hapur, Uttar Pradesh, India; Professor, Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, Saraswathi Institute of Medical Sciences, Pilkhuwa, Hapur, Uttar Pradesh, India; Associate Professor, Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, Saraswathi Institute of Medical Sciences, Pilkhuwa, Hapur, Uttar Pradesh, India; Assistant Professor, Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, Saraswathi Institute of Medical Sciences, Pilkhuwa, Hapur, Uttar Pradesh, India

Article Information

Volume / Issue6 / 3 (July-September 2025)
Pages89-92
AccessOpen Access

Publication Timeline

  • Received13 June 2025
  • Accepted15 July 2025
  • Published

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Abstract

Perioperative shivering is a common complication following spinal anesthesia for cesarean section, affecting patient comfort and increasing metabolic demands. This prospective, randomized, double-blind study compared intrathecal dexmedetomidine versus dexamethasone as adjuvants to bupivacaine for preventing shivering. One hundred twenty parturients undergoing elective cesarean section were randomly allocated into three groups (n=40 each): Group B received 12.5mg hyperbaric bupivacaine alone, Group BD received bupivacaine plus 5μg dexmedetomidine, and Group BX received bupivacaine plus 4mg dexamethasone. The primary outcome was incidence of perioperative shivering. Secondary outcomes included shivering severity, onset and duration of block, hemodynamic parameters, core temperature changes, and neonatal outcomes. Shivering incidence was significantly lower in Group BD (15%) and Group BX (17.5%) compared to Group B (47.5%) (p<0.001). No significant difference existed between BD and BX groups (p=0.762). Both adjuvant groups showed prolonged sensory block duration (BD: 198±26min, BX: 176±22min vs B: 148±19min; p<0.001). Group BD had higher incidence of bradycardia (22.5% vs 7.5% in BX and 5% in B; p=0.034). Neonatal outcomes were comparable across groups. Both dexmedetomidine and dexamethasone effectively reduce perioperative shivering when used as intrathecal adjuvants, with dexmedetomidine providing longer analgesia but more bradycardia.

Keywords

Cesarean SectionDexamethasoneDexmedetomidineIntrathecal AdjuvantsShiveringSpinal Anesthesia

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How to Cite

Khushboo, Sharma, S., Lal, S. K., Jagar, K. D., & Vaid, N. (2025). A Comparative Study Between Dexmedetomidine and Dexamethasone as an Intrathecal Adjuvant for Prevention of Perioperative Shivering in Cesarean Section. International Journal of Medical and All Body Health Research, 6(3), 89-92. https://doi.org/10.54660/IJMBHR.2025.6.3.89-92

Khushboo, et al. "A Comparative Study Between Dexmedetomidine and Dexamethasone as an Intrathecal Adjuvant for Prevention of Perioperative Shivering in Cesarean Section." International Journal of Medical and All Body Health Research, vol. 6, no. 3, 2025, pp. 89-92. https://doi.org/10.54660/IJMBHR.2025.6.3.89-92.

Khushboo, Sharma, S., Lal, S. K., Jagar, K. D. and Vaid, N. (2025) 'A Comparative Study Between Dexmedetomidine and Dexamethasone as an Intrathecal Adjuvant for Prevention of Perioperative Shivering in Cesarean Section', International Journal of Medical and All Body Health Research, 6(3), pp. 89-92. doi: 10.54660/IJMBHR.2025.6.3.89-92.

Khushboo, Sharma S, Lal SK, Jagar KD, Vaid N. A Comparative Study Between Dexmedetomidine and Dexamethasone as an Intrathecal Adjuvant for Prevention of Perioperative Shivering in Cesarean Section. International Journal of Medical and All Body Health Research. 2025;6(3):89-92. doi:10.54660/IJMBHR.2025.6.3.89-92

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