Evaluation the Effect of Intrathecally Fentanyl Added to Lidocaine on Interception of Shivering in Abdominal Hysterectomy: Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

Background: Shivering is a frequent phenomenon in postoperative period. Post spinal shivering causes a major distress for patients and may induce some complications. Investigations to control shivering could not mange it completely. Objectives: The aim of this randomized single-blind study was to investigate how much the high dose (50 μg) of intrathecally administered fentanyl would influence the incidence and severity of shivering in patients undergoing abdominal hysterectomy. Methods: In this prospective clinical trial, seventy healthy patients scheduled for abdominal hysterectomy under spinal anesthesia using 75 mg of hyperbaric 5% lidocaine were randomly allocated to receive an additional 50 μg (1 mL) of fentanyl intrathecally (group F) or normal saline 1 mL (groups).Then the level of shivering was measured with crossly and mahajon scale and analyzed with chi-square test using SPSS version 17 software. Results: The incidence of shivering up to two hours after spinal anesthesia was 13 from 35 patients (37.2 %) in group F, and 27 from 35 patients (77.2%) in group S. The difference was statistically significant (P < 0.01). The shivering score was significantly lower in group F. There was no difference in the incidence of pharmacologic side effects. Conclusions: Addition of 50 μg fentanyl to 75 mg of hyperbaric 5% lidocaine intrathecally can reduce the incidence and severity of shivering in patients who receive abdominal hysterectomy without increasing other side effects.