The results indicate that the spatial distribution of ventilation is influenced by the body and head position in spontaneously breathing infants. Prone posture with the leftward head rotation has the most prominent effect which is detectable even during mechanical ventilation.

Strabismus surgery in children is associated with a high incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). METHODS. Ninety ASA class I and II children aged 6 to 16 years and scheduled for strabismus surgery were randomly assigned to one of the following groups: Group 1 (n=30):thiopentone 4-6 mg/kg i.v., halothane 0.8-1.5%, N2O--O2 2:1, no opioids, droperidol 75 micrograms/kg i.v.; Group 2 (n=30):propofol 2-3 mg/kg i.v., propofol 6-9 mg/kg.h, alfentanil 30 micrgrams/kg.h, N2O-O2 2:1, no antiemetics; Group 3 (n=30):similar to group 2, but ventilation with air and O2 2:1. All patients were mechanically ventilated during anaesthesia and gastric contents were aspirated. Recovery scores were calculated for 2 h, emetic scores for 24 h postoperatively.

In this study the antiemetic effects of droperidol, ondansetron and their combination were evaluated in 160 ASA Grade I and II children undergoing surgery for strabismus, who were randomly assigned to one of four groups: Group D received droperidol 75 μg kg−1, group O ondansetron 0.1 mg kg−1, group D+O received both droperidol 75 μg kg−1 and ondansetron 0.1 mg kg−1, and group N NaCl as placebo. Emesis within the first 24 h occurred in 95.0% of the children with placebo medication, compared with 32.5% (D), 40.0% (O) and 45.0% (D+O) in the groups with antiemetic prophylaxis. The differences between group N and all other groups were significant (P<0.001). However, there were no statistically significant differences between the groups D, O and D+O. It is concluded that droperidol (75 μg kg−1) and ondansetron (0.1 mg kg−1) both significantly reduce PONV in children undergoing surgery for strabismus. Neither ondansetron, nor the combination D+O were superior to droperidol alone.

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