Razi Journal of Medical Sciences

  Background: Post anesthetic shivering is a common and unpleasant postoperative complication. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of ondansetron with meperidine in preventing postoperative shivering.

  Methods: A randomized controlled trial was carried out on 60 patients with ASA class I-II undergoing general anesthesia. General anesthesia was performed with fentanyl, midazolam, sodium thiopental and atracurium. The patients were randomly allocated to receive ondansetrone and meperidine intravenously at the beginning of wound closure. Occurrence and severity of shivering was evaluated for 30 min in the recovery room. Also, side effects were assessed in recovery room.

  Results: In the postoperative period incidences of shivering in ondansetron group was 6.7%. Patients in meperidine group have not shivering (p=0.49). Nausea and vomiting occurred in 26.7% of the meperidine group but none in the patients receiving Ondansetron (p=0.005).

  Conclusion: The prophylactic use of ondansetron and meperidine were found to be effective in preventing postoperative shivering.