FREQUENCY AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS OF INTRAOPERATIVE SHIVERING IN ELECTIVE CAESAREAN SECTION UNDER SPINAL ANESTHESIA: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Background: Shivering is characterized by spontaneous, involuntary and repetitive muscular contractions. It increases patient’s discomfort, oxygen consumption, surgical site bleeding and also increases patient hospital stay in postoperative period. Shivering interferes with the monitoring of electrocardiography, blood pressure and pulse oximetry. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency and associated factors of intraoperative shivering in elective caesarean section under spinal anesthesia.

Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted over a period of 6 months in obstetrics OT at Mardan Medical Complex (MMC), Mardan. Total 116 parturients were included in this study. Chi square test was performed to determine the association between categorical variables. P value <0.05 considered as statistically significant.

Results: The overall incidence of intraoperative shivering was recorded in             55(47.4%) patients. Majority of the patients experienced shivering between (6-20) minutes. In this study duration of surgery, BMI, body temperature and operating room temperature were significantly associated with shivering.

Conclusion: In this study duration of surgery, high BMI, hypothermia and cold operating room temperature were the independent risk factors of intraoperative shivering.