[Tramadol hydrochloride in the treatment of postoperative shivering].

A double blind study of the therapeutic effect of the opioid tramadol hydrochloride (Gruenenthal, Germany) in the treatment of postoperative trembling was undertaken in 2 groups of patients (50 patients in each) versus that of placebo. The results obtained denoted that tramadol at 1-2 mg/kg arrested completely the postoperative trembling or cut significantly its intensity in 49 (98%) patients. Such high efficiency of tramadol as compared to that of other opioids can be explained by its dual mechanism of action. The dependence of an effective tramadol dose on intensity of shivering and on degree of impaired temperature hemostasis was demonstrated. A comparison of hemodynamic parameters observed before and after the administration of tramadol did not reveal any valuable changes in arterial pressure or cardiac beat rate. Mildly intensified sedation was registered in 17 patients, which is typical of all opioids.