RANDOMISED DOUBLE-BLIND COMPARATIVE STUDY OF DEXMEDETOMIDINE AND TRAMADOL FOR PREVENTION OF PERIOPERATIVE SHIVERING IN TRANSURETHRAL RESECTION OF PROSTATE UNDER SPINAL ANAESTHESIA

BACKGROUND AND AIMS There are number of drugs like Tramadol, Clonidine, Pethidine, etc., which are being used as an anti-shivering agent during perioperative period. Perioperative shivering can be very harmful for the patients, thus focus should be on prevention rather than treatment. The aim of this study was to compare Dexmedetomidine and Tramadol for prevention of shivering in more susceptible group of patients-elderly age group (55 and above) being operated for Transurethral Resection of Prostate (TURP) under spinal anaesthesia. METHOD A prospective, randomised and double blind study conducted on 300 American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) Grade I, II and III male patients posted for TURP surgery. The patients were randomized in two groups of 150 patients each to receive either intravenous Dexmedetomidine 1 mu g/kg/min over a period of 10 minutes followed by infusion of 0.4 mu g/kg/min during surgery or intravenous Tramadol 1mg/kg min over a period of 10 minutes followed by infusion of dextrose 0.4 mu g/kg/min during surgery. Appearance of shivering hemodynamics and any adverse effects were observed at scheduled intervals. Unpaired T-test was used for analyzing data. RESULT Both the drugs were equally effective in prevention of shivering (Dexmedetomidine and Tramadol). CONCLUSION Both the drugs are effective in prevention of shivering in the respective doses we used in the study with patients who were more predisposed to shivering. Tramadol is associated with significant more nausea and vomiting. Adequate sedation with no respiratory compromise seen in both group.