Effects of tramadol and pethidine on control of shivering during operation under epidural anesthesia

Objective To observe the effects of tramadol and pethidine on control of shivering during surgical operations under epidural anesthesia. Methods 120 adult patients who were to undergo surgical operation on lower abdomen, lower limbs or spine were randomly divided into 3 groups: Group A, in which patients received intramuscular injection of tramadol(1.5 mg/kg) 30 minutes before epidural anesthesia; Group B, pethidine (5 mg) given at the same time point; and Group C, normal saline of the same volume. The incidence rate of shivering during operation was observed and body temperature, mean arterial pressure(MAP), heart rate (HR) and arterial oxygen saturation (SPO 2) were determined before, during and after operation. Results The incidence rate of shivering was 5.0%, 10.0% and 30.0% in three groups, respectively, and there was statistically significant difference between Group C and Group A or B (P0.01). No differences were found in body temperature, MAP, HR, and SPO 2 before, during or after operation within each group or between groups(P0.05). Patients in Group B had more side effects than the others(P0.01). Conclusion Intramuscular injection of tramadol or pethidine before epidural is effective to control shivering, in which tramadol has a better result than pethidine.