The Effect of Nano-molar Dose of Meperidine on the Prevention of Pruritus Due to Intrathecal Meperidine

Background and Opioids are frequently added to local anesthetics in order to improve analgesia in neuraxial blocks which may lead to – sometimes intolerable - pruritus in the patients. In this study the effect of meperidine on pruritus following the preh1ion of opioids (in the scale and dose of mg) in regional anesthesia was investigated. Methods and Materials: This clinical trial was conducted on 54 patients in two groups of 27. The patients included those hospitalized fro cesarean section in the midwifery ward as well as those in the surgical-orthopedic ward. Both groups received anesthetic and opioids (meperidine in mg doses). The first group i.e. the control group received a certain volume of physiologic serum and the second group i.e. the experimental group received the same volume of physiologic serum plus IV meperidine (nanogram dose). Pruritus was measured in the conventional scale at hours 0 6 12 and 24 after surgery. In the statistical analysis Mann Whitney U Fisher's exact test and chi-square were used. in the experimental group incidence and intensity of pruritus (in case of occurring) were significantly lower than the control group (intensity score being one). Using nano-doses of opioids (meperidine) is effective in preventing pruritus.