THE EFFICACY OF INTRATHECAL DEXAMETHASONE TO PREVENT EARLY COMPLICATIONS OF SPINAL ANAESTHESIA FOR ELECTIVE CAESAREAN SECTION


Nataliya Pyasetska

Spinal anaesthesia is commonly used for elective caesarean section. But it has some disadvantages and complications in intra- and postoperative period.

The aim of this study was to explore the efficacy of intrathecal or intravenous dexamethasone to prevent some early complications of spinal anaesthesia such as arterial hypotonia, nausea, vomiting, bradycardia, shivering etc.

 Material and methods: there were examined 154 healthy, not obese women, ASA I–II, 18–36 years old, 36–40 weeks of gestation, undergoing elective caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia. All patients were divided into three equal groups for randomized, prospective, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

The women of each group received intrathecal hyperbaric bupivacaine 0.5 % 10 mg. Group B (n=51) additionally received intrathecal 1 ml of normal saline=placebo; Group BD (n=52) additionally received 4 mg (1 ml) intrathecal dexamethasone, and Group D (n=51) received 8 mg intravenous dexamethasone directly after spinal puncture. The patients were evaluated for blood pressure, heart rate, nausea, vomiting, shivering or other complications during intra- or postoperative period (24 h). The complications that required medicines correction were recorded and cured.

Results: the addition of intrathecal dexamethasone in Group BD vs Group B significantly decreased frequency and manifestations of arterial hypotonia and nausea (Pearson’s χ2 =0.486 and χ2=0.479, p<0.05) in intra- and postoperative period after the spinal anaesthesia in elective caesarean section. Intrathecal dexamethasone in Group BD vs Group B significantly reduced shivering (Pearson’s χ2=0.316, p<0.05) in intra- and postoperative period, and significantly didn`t impact on vomiting and bradycardia.

Conclusions: the addition of 4 mg intrathecal dexamethasone as an adjuvant for spinal anaesthesia can significantly decrease frequency and manifestations of arterial hypotonia and nausea, reduce shivering during perioperative period. The addition of 8 mg intravenous dexamethasone has not the same quality.

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How to cite paper:

Pyasetska, N. (2020). THE EFFICACY OF INTRATHECAL DEXAMETHASONE TO PREVENT EARLY COMPLICATIONS OF SPINAL ANAESTHESIA FOR ELECTIVE CAESAREAN SECTION. Technology Transfer: Innovative Solutions in Medicine, 10-13. https://doi.org/10.21303/2585-663.2020.001470