Effect of intrathecal dexmedetomidine on cesarean section during spinal anesthesia: a meta-analysis of randomized trials.

OBJECTIVE

Intrathecal dexmedetomidine has been used in spinal anesthesia during cesarean sections. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to investigate the effect of intrathecal dexmedetomidine on the adverse reactions of spinal anesthesia during cesarean section.

METHODS

We searched for relevant studies using PubMed, Web of Science, and the Cochrane library. After screening studies and extracting data, we performed a meta-analysis on the effect of intrathecal dexmedetomidine during cesarean section.

RESULTS

A total of 278 patients from 4 studies were included in this meta-analysis. The incidence of shivering in the dexmedetomidine groups was significantly lower than that in the placebo groups during cesarean section (RR=0.40, 95% CI [0.25, 0.65], P=0.0002). Intrathecal dexmedetomidine had no effect on nausea and vomiting (RR=1.08, 95% CI [0.68, 1.71], P=0.74), bradycardia (RR=1.33, 95% CI [0.31, 5.76], P=0.70), and hypotension during cesarean section (RR=0.78, 95% CI [0.59, 1.03], P=0.08).

CONCLUSION

Intrathecal dexmedetomidine can effectively reduce the occurrence of shivering during cesarean section, but it does not affect the occurrence of nausea and vomiting, bradycardia or hypotension.