Comparison of dexmedetomidine with tramadol in treatment of postoperative shivering

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of dexmedetomidine in treatment of postoperative shivering.Methods Ninety ASA Ⅰ or Ⅱ patients scheduled for selective abdominal surgery under general anesthesia were enrolled in this study.Patients with shivering grade 3-4 were allocated to receive either dexmdetomidine 0.5 μg/kg tramadol 1 mg/kg,or saline IV.Shivering and side effects were observed at set time.Results Shivering grades for the first 5 min after treatment were lower in both the dexmetomidine groups and the tramadol groups;however,the incidence of nausea and vomiting were higher in the tramadol groups.Sedation scores were significantly higher in the dexmetomidine groups compared with the tramadol groups.Conclusion Intravenous administration of dexmdetomidine 0.5 μg/kg is more suitable for the reduction of postoperative shivering than tramadol.