Propofol and postanaesthetic shivering

Abstract

Sixty ASA grade 1 unpremedicated patients scheduled for minor elective surgery were randomly allocated to receive general anaesthesia consisting of either propofol‐nitrous oxide in oxygen or a conventional technique of thiopentone–isoflurane–nitrous oxide–oxygen. Baseline axillary temperature readings, duration of operation and intra‐operative decrease in axillary temperature were similar in both groups. The patients who received propofol—nitrous oxide—oxygen anaesthesia had a significantly lower incidence of postanaesthetic shivering than the control group. A propofol‐nitrous oxide‐oxygen technique may be preferable when postanaesthetic shivering is deemed undesirable. Copyright © 1995, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved