COMPARISION OF PROPHYLACTIC KETAMINE, CLONIDINE AND TRAMODOL FOR THE CONTROL OF SHIVERING UNDER NEURAXIAL ANAESTHESIA: A PROSPECTIVE RANDOMIZED STUDY

Background: Thermoregulatory system coordinates defenses against environmental temperature to maintain internal core temperature within a narrow range, thus optimizing normal body function and homeostasis in humans. Anaesthetic induced thermoregulatory impairment and hence hypothermia in cold environments. Shivering is an important complication of hypothermia. Shivering is an involuntary, oscillatory muscular activity that augments metabolic heat production upto 600% above basal level to increase temperature. It is associated with substantial adrenergic activation , discomfort and can double or even triple oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production. Potent antishivering properties have been attributed to numerous drugs including biogenic monoamines, cholinomimetics, cations, endogenous peptides and possibly N-methyl-D- aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists like ketamine, tramadol and clonidine. Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of prophylactic use of intravenous ketamine, clonidine and tramadol in control of shivering and to note any side-effects of the drugs used. Methods: A total number of 120 ASA I and 2 patients of either sex belonging to age group 18-60 years posted for Lower Abdomen and Lower Limb surgeries under subarachnoid block were divided into four groups of 30 each. Group P (control group): Patients received 10mL of normal saline IV as placebo. Group K: Patients received Inj. Ketamine 0.5mg/kg BW IV diluted to 10ml in Normal Saline. Group C: Patients received Inj. Clonidine 75mcg IV diluted to 10ml in Normal Saline. Group T: patients received Inj. Tramadol 0.5mg/kg BW IV diluted to 10ml in normal saline. Results: We conclude that giving Ketamine 0.5mg/kg,Clonidine 75mcg or tramadol 0.5mg/kg i.v. prophylactically just before subarachnoid block significantly decreased the incidence of shivering without causing any major side effects. Conclusion: Ketamine, Tramadol or Clonidine decrease shivering during spinal anesthesia.