Dexmedetomidine versus granisetron for the management of postspinal shivering

Background Shivering is one of the most stressful complications for patients and surgeons during spinal anesthesia. In this prospective, randomized, double-blinded study, we compared the efficacy of dexmedetomidine versus granisetron for control of postspinal shivering. Methods This study was conducted on 120 patients, ASA I–III, of either sex, aged 18–60 years, who were scheduled for elective lower limb and lower abdominal surgeries under spinal anesthesia. The response rate, time taken to control shivering, recurrence rate, and adverse effects were recorded. Results Incidence of shivering in 1127 patients was 52.7% (594 patients): we studied 120 patients; 28 patients (2.5%) developed grade 4 and 92 patients (8.2%) developed grade 3 shivering. There were no statistically significant differences regarding the time for onset of shivering, severity, response rate, need for a second dose, or pethidine between the two groups. However, time to control shivering was shorter in the dexmedetomidine group, with a higher recurrence rate. Incidences of hypotension, bradycardia, and sedation were higher in the dexmedetomidine group. However, there was no incidence of severe bradycardia or respiratory depression in our study. Conclusion Both dexmedetomidine and granisetron effectively reduce postspinal shivering without any major adverse effects. However, dexmedetomidine has rapid onset and short duration, whereas granisetron has less hemodynamic alterations.