Role of oral clonidine in preventing postsubarachnoid block shivering in patients undergoing elective urological surgeries : an experience

Abstract EN

Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of oral clonidine in preventing postsubarachnoid block shivering in urological surgeries.

Patients and methods It was a prospective double-blind study carried out on 120 elective patients after ethical clearance and after written informed consent was obtained from the patients who underwent urological surgeries.

Patients were divided into two groups of 60 each: the study group and the placebo group.

Patients in the study group received an oral clonidine tablet of 150 μg 90 min before block.

The severity of shivering and other hemodynamic parameters were noted and compared between the two groups.

Results We found a statistically signifi cant decrease in postblock shivering incidence as well as severity in the clonidine-treated group, with no signifi cant changes in hemodynamic and other parameters between the two groups and thus recommend its use.

Conclusion As a prophylaxis, clonidine given orally at a dose of 150 μg seems to be a cheap, effective, and easily available drug for preventing postsubarachnoid block shivering in patients undergoing elective urological surgeries.