Intrathecal Fentanyl for Prevention of Shivering in Spinal Anaesthesia in Lower Limb Surgeries

INTRATHECAL FENTANYL FOR PREVENTION OF SHIVERING IN SPINAL ANAESTHESIA IN LOWER LIMB SURGERIES INTRODUCTION Intra- operative shivering is a common complication of regional anaesthesia, affecting 40-70 % of patients undergoing surgery. Shivering increases expenditure of cardiac and systemic energy, resulting in increased oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production, lactic acidosis and raised intraocular and intracranial pressures. It also interferes with haemodynamic monitoring intra-operatively. Regional anaesthesia produces vasodilation which facilitates redistribution of heat from the core to periphery. This predisposes patient to hypothermia and shivering. We studied the effect of intrathecal fentanyl on the incidence of shivering following spinal anaesthesia. MATERIALS& METHODS 50 ASA class-I and II adult patients of either sex, aged 20-60 years undergoing lower limb surgeries under spinal anaesthesia were selected and randomly allocated in 2 groups (n=25) in a randomized, double-blinded manner. Patients in Group A received 3 ml of bupivacaine 0.5 % with 0.5ml (25g) of fentanyl and patients in Group B received 3 ml of bupivacaine 0.5 % with 0.5ml of saline intrathecally. We assessed the incidence and severity of shivering following administration of spinal anaesthesia. OBSERVATION There was no difference between the groups with regard to demographic data, duration of surgery, oral temperature and highest sensory level achieved. The incidence and severity of shivering was significantly lower in Group A compared to Group B. The incidence of shivering was 12 % in Group A and 60 % in Group B, which is statistically significant (P