Ondansetron and meperidine prevent postoperative shivering after general anesthesia.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative shivering is one of the common problems following general anesthesia and may lead to multiple complications. The aim of this study was to examine the preventive effects of Ondansetron and Meperidine on postoperative shivering.

METHODS: This randomized placebo-controlled double blind clinical trial included 90 patients scheduled for elective gynecologic operations, randomly divided to three groups. Ondansetron (4 mg), Meperidine (0.4 mg/kg) and 2 cc normal saline (as a control group) were administered immediately before the induction of anesthesia. Anesthesia induced equivalently for all. Patients were observed in terms of vital signs, side effects and shivering.

RESULTS: Postoperative shivering was observed in 13.3% of patients in Ondansetron group and 20% of Meperidine group, significantly lower than the controls (50%). The reduction of core and dermal temperature during the anesthesia and recovery, changes in systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate were similar in all three groups. The incidence of nausea was similar among the three groups of study while vomiting occurred in 6.7% of the Meperidine group and 3.3% of the controls but none in the patients receiving Ondansetron.

CONCLUSION: Ondansetron can effectively reduce post operative shivering.