The effect of intravenous hydrocortisone (1 or 2 mg/kg) on postoperative shivering in cesarean section with spinal anesthesia

Abstract

Background: Postoperative shivering is one of the most prevalent complications that several methods were used for controlling it. This study aimed to determine the effect of two doses of intravenous hydrocortisone (1 or 2 mg/kg) on postoperative shivering in cesarean section with spinal anesthesia. Methods: In a randomized controlled clinical trial study, 135 pregnant women candidate for cesarean were randomly divided in three equal groups. The groups were received 1 or 2 mg/kg hydrocortisone, or the same volume of normal saline (as control group) during the 5 minutes after umbilical clamping and postoperative shivering was determined and compared between the groups. Findings: Postoperative shivering was happened in 23 patients (54.8) in 1 mg/kg hydrocortisone group, 16 patients (36.4) in 2 mg/kg hydrocortisone group, and 36 patients (85.7) in control group; the difference between the three groups was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Intravenous injection of 2 mg/kg hydrocortisone in patients under cesarean with spinal anesthesia led to decrease postoperative shivering. It seems that using this dose does not lead to serious complications. But, more studies are recommended to determine real effect of this dose of hydrocortisone. © 2017, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved.