Efficacy of intravenous tramadol in the control of shivering following spinal anaesthesia for caesarean section.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of intravenous tramadol in control of shivering in obstetric patients under spinal anaesthesia and to determine the minimal dose of tramadol that is effective.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a prospective, randomised, double-blind, cross-sectional study of 144 pregnant women at term who had an indication for caesarean section. The patients were randomly allocated into three groups at the occurrence of shivering. Group T0.5 received 0.5 mg/kg of tramadol (n = 47), Group T0.25 received 0.25 mg/kg tramadol (n = 47) and Group TNS received 0.05 ml/kg of normal saline (n = 46). Statistical analysis was performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 17.

RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the groups with regard to age, weight and duration of surgery. There was a statistically significant difference in the time of cessation of shivering after the treatment for various groups (P = 0.000). A total of 80.1% responded to the treatment in Group T0.5, while for Group T0.25 and TNS, a total of 44.7% and 4.3%, respectively, responded. There were statistically significant differences in the recurrence rates of shivering among the groups (P = 0.000).

CONCLUSION: Tramadol is effective in control of shivering during spinal anaesthesia in obstetric patients. Tramadol 0.5 mg/kg controlled shivering better than 0.25 mg/kg. Therefore, 0.5 mg/kg of tramadol can be used to manage shivering following caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia.