COMPARISON OF PETHIDINE AND DEXAMETHASONE IN PREVENTING POSTOPERATIVE SHIVERING

Post-operative shivering is very common and it is usually followed by many
problems such as an increase in oxygen consumption, blood pressure, intracranial and intraocular
pressure, and post-operation pain. Therefore, it is very important to prevent shivering especially in the
elderly and ischemic heart disease patients. The goal of this study was comparing the effect of
Pethidine (Meperidine), Dexamethasone, and Placebo in prevention of shivering.
Materials & Methods: This double blind clinical trial study was carried out on 120 patients who were
candidates for surgery under general anesthesia.The patients were randomly divided into three groups
including those who received placebo (a) Dexamethasone (b) and Pethidine (c). Induction and
maintenance of anesthesia for all patients were similar. Central and peripheral temperature of patients
was measured every 5 minute interval. After induction saline normal, Dexamethasone and Pethidine
were respectively injected to groups a, b, and c. In recovery, all patients were controlled for visible
shivering: The data were statistically analyzed by SPSS software and ANOVA and chi square tests.
Results: There were no significant differences among three mentioned groups regarding of gender,
age, duration of surgery, and recovery time. Nineteen cases (47.5%) in group a had post-operative
shivering. Whereas, in group b only 4 cases (10%) had shivering and the difference between 2 groups
was significant (P value = 0.001). Also in group c, 15 cases (37.5%) had shivering that the difference
with placebo group was significant (P value = 0.08).
Conclusion: The present study showed that pethidine and dexamethasone are effective drugs for
preventing post-operative shivering in elective surgery. And the effect of dexamethasone in preventing
the post-operative shivering is better than Pethidine. Dexamethasone can be administered after
induction of anesthesia as an alternative to administration of Pethidine (as a common method of
prevention and treatment of postoperative shivering) particularly in patients with hemodynamic
instability.