Intrathecal dexamethasone vs. meperidine for prevention of shivering during transurethral prostatectomy: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Background: Shivering is a common complication after spinal anesthesia. Also, during transurethral prostatectomy a large amount of irrigating fluids is used which may cause hypothermia and shivering. We hypothesized that intrathecal dexamethasone could effectively attenuate post-spinal shivering following transurethral prostatectomy as intrathecal meperidine.

Methods: Ninety male patients, ASA II-III, 50-75 years old were included in this prospective and randomized double-blind study. Patients were divided into three equal groups; Group D received 8 mg dexamethasone, Group M received 0.2 mg/kg meperidine, and Group C received 2 ml of normal saline, each in addition to intrathecal hyperbaric bupivacaine 0.5%. Shivering incidence, intensity and recurrence, dose of IV meperidine required to treat shivering, and adverse events were recorded for 150 min after the start of spinal anesthesia.

Results: The number of patients with shivering was higher in Group C (13) than in Group D (2) and Group M (3) with no differences between Group D and M; P = 0.001. Intensity and recurrence of shivering and dose of IV meperidine used to treat shivering were higher in Group C compared to Group D and Group M; P = 0.01, P = 0.064, and P = 0.004, respectively. Adverse events were not different between groups except sedation and pruritus which occurred only in Group M compared to Group D and Group C; P = 0.005 and P = 0.001, respectively.

Conclusion: Intrathecal dexamethasone was as effective as intrathecal meperidine in attenuation of shivering compared to placebo in patients scheduled for prostate surgery under spinal anesthesia with less adverse events.