Abstract
BACKGROUND &AIMS: Incidence of shivering is 55% with neuraxial anaesthesia. It increases the metabolic rate by 400% ,with consequent oxygen consumption. This study was designed to assess the effectiveness of intrathecal magnesium sulphate as an adjuvant in preventing shivering in parturients undergoing caesarean section. METHODS: After institutional ethical committee clearance, a prospective randomised double blinded study was conducted on 80 parturients of age 18-45 years of American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade II undergoing caesarean section. Parturients were randomised into two groups of 40 each by computer generated random numbers, allocation concealment was done by closed envelope technique, double blinding followed. Group M received 2ml 0.5% heavy bupivacaine+ 0.1ml 25mg MgSo4. Group P received 2ml 0.5% heavy bupivacaine + 0.1ml saline. Intraoperative Shivering score was assessed as primary outcome, Vital signs, temperature, sensory and motor blockade were recorded as secondary outcome, calculated using unpaired T test and chi square tests. RESULTS: Overall incidence of shivering in Magnesium sulfate group was low, though during 10, 15, 20, 30, 40 minutes post spinal, it was statistically significant(p < 0.001%). Core body temperature was significantly reduced in Magnesium sulfate group compared to the normal saline group30minutes post spinal (p <0.001%). CONCLUSION: From the present study it can be concluded that Intrathecal Magnesium sulfate decrease the incidence and intensity of shivering during caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia, without having any serious side effects.