A comparative study on the effect of intravenous dexamethasone, ondansetron, and ketamine in preventing postoperative shivering in cesarean section under general anesthesia

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to compare the effect of intravenous dexamethasone, ondansetron, and ketamine in preventing postoperative shivering in patients undergoing cesarean section under general anesthesia. Methods: A random, double-blind clinical trial was carried out on 160 patients with class I or II of American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) scale, undergoing cesarean with general anesthesia. They were divided into four groups of patients receiving ondansetron, dexamethasone, ketamine, and placebo. Applying the formula, the sample size consisted of 40 patients in each group. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA), frequency table, and chi-square test at the significant level of P less than 0.05. Findings: There was a significant difference in the level of shivering at four times of entering recovery, and 10th, 20th, and 70th minutes in recovery between the four groups (P < 0.050). Shivering was higher in control group than other ones at four mentioned periods (percentage of no-shivering was higher in other groups than control group); but no significant difference was found concerning shivering in dexamethasone, ondansetron, and ketamine groups (P > 0.050 for all). Conclusion: Prescribing dexamethasone, ondansetron, and ketamine was equally effective in preventing postoperative shivering. © 2017, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved.