Objective: The utilization of highly selective α-2 agonist dexmedetomidine is significantly growing as an intrathecal adjuvant in cesarean section (CS) performed under subarachnoid block. The aim of this study was to determine whether the addition of low dose dexmedetomidine to local anesthesia for spinal anesthesia reduces perioperative nausea, vomiting and shivering in patients scheduled for lower segment cesarean section with minimal hemodynamic instability. Methods: In this controlled prospective study, 60 parturients scheduled for elective CS (under spinal anesthesia) were equally randomized into two groups. Group D (dexmedetomidine group) received hyperbaric bupivacaine (0.5%; 10 mg) in addition to dexmedetomidine (5 μg; 0.2 mL), while Group C (control group) received normal saline for the spinal block. Hemodynamic parameters as well as the incidence of shivering, vomiting, and nausea and were recorded. Results: There was a statistically substantial rise in block duration in Group D (218.83 ± 10.72) than in Group C (163.17 ± 9.96), with p-value <0.001. There was also a statistically substantial elevation in the patient percentage who experienced shivering in Group C (50.0%) compared to Group D (10.0%), with p-value = 0.001, and an elevation in the intensity in Group C than Group D, (p=0.005). Conclusion: We concluded that intrathecal dexmedetomidine has no substantial impact on the prevention (occurrence) of vomiting as well as nausea throughout CS but can efficiently alleviate shivering occurrence with minimal or low hemodynamic instability. Keywords: Bupivacaine, spinal anesthesia, dexmedetomidine, shivering, cesarean section
Shorbagy et al. (Wed,) studied this question.