title: A randomised trial comparing efficacy, onset and duration of action of pethidine and tramadol in abolition of shivering in the intra operative period.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Regional anaesthesia (spinal anaesthesia) is widely used as a safe anaesthetic technique for both elective and emergency operations. Shivering is known to be a frequent complication, reported in 40 to 70% of patients undergoing surgery under regional anaesthesia. Various methods are available for the control of shivering during anaesthesia. Here we have compared Tramadol, a synthetic opioid with Pethidine, the gold standard drug for the treatment of shivering, in the quest for more safe and efficacious drug.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty patients of ASA 1 and 2 status posted for elective surgical procedures under neuraxial block were selected. Group P (n=20) received Pethidine 0.5mg/kg IV and group T (n=20) received tramadol 1.0 mg/kg IV.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both the drugs were found to be effective in reducing shivering. Nineteen patients in the Group T had control of shivering at end of 5 minutes but there were no patients who had control of shivering Group P (p < 0.0001) which is statistically significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tramadol reduced the occurrence of postanesthetic shivering more significantly than pethidine.
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of Anaesthesiology, PESIMSR, KUPPAM , Andhra Pradesh, India .
authors.forename: Mahesh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: T
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of Anaesthesiology, PESIMSR, KUPPAM , Andhra Pradesh, India .
authors.forename: Lavanya
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kaparti
keywords: Pethidine; Shivering; Tramadol