A randomized controlled trial to compare the efficacy of pethidine and tramadol for postoperative shivering

Abstract

Objective: Postoperative shivering is common problem and it occurs in a large percentage of patients recovering from general or regional anesthesia, delaying recovery and discharge from hospital. Our objective was to compare the efficacy of pethidine and tramadol in the treatment of postoperative shivering in patients undergoing elective surgery under GA.

Methodology: This double blind randomized controlled trial was conducted from January to June 2014. By non-probability consecutive sampling method, a sample size of 40 patients in each group was used. Patients with fever, past history of convulsions, any neuromuscular abnormality, and those who received vasoconstrictors, adrenergic agonists, pethidine, tramadol, cold fluids or massive blood transfusion during surgery were excluded. Patients with postoperative shivering were randomly allocated in two groups using a lottery method. Patients in Group T received tramadol 1.0 mg/kg IV and patients in Group P received pethidine 0.5 mg/kg in 10 ml syringe slowly over 5 min. All patients were examined after 15 min of the start of intravenous drug to determine the efficacy of the drug.