We studied 100 ASA I-II females undergoing general anaesthesia for major gynaecological surgery, in a prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study. Patients received one of four regimens for the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV): ondansetron 4 mg (n = 25), dexamethasone 8 mg (n = 25), ondansetron with dexamethasone (4 mg and 8 mg, respectively, n = 25) or placebo (saline, n = 25) There were no differences in background factors or factors related to operation and anaesthesia, morphine consumption, pain or side effects between groups. The incidence of nausea and emetic episodes in the ondansetron with dexamethasone group was lower than in the placebo (P < 0.01), ondansetron (P < 0.05) and dexamethasone (P = 0.057) groups. There were no differences between ondansetron and dexamethasone, and both were more effective than placebo (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). Dexamethasone appeared to be preferable in preventing nausea than emetic episodes. Fewer patients in the ondansetron with dexamethasone group needed antimetic rescue (P < 0.01 vs placebo and P < 0.05 vs ondansetron). We conclude that prophylactic administration of combined ondansetron and dexamethasone is effective in preventing PONV.

The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of ondansetron plus droperidol with each drug alone or placebo in the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). One hundred females, aged 18-65 yr, ASA physical status I-II, undergoing general anesthesia for elective abdominal surgery were included in a prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study. A standardized anesthetic technique and postoperative analgesia (ketorolac plus patient-controlled analgesia [PCA] with morphine) were used in all patients. Patients were randomly assigned to receive placebo (Group 1, n = 25), droperidol 2.5 mg with induction of anesthesia and 1.25 mg 12 h later (Group 2, n = 25), ondansetron 4 mg with induction (Group 3, n = 25), and ondansetron plus droperidol at the same doses as Groups 3 and 2, respectively (Group 4, n = 25). A complete response, defined as no PONV in 48 h, occurred in 28% of patients in Group 1, 60% in Group 2 (P < 0.05 vs Group 1), 56% in Group 3 (P < 0.05 vs Group 1), and 92% in Group 4 (P < 0.01 vs Groups 1, 2, and 3). Sedation was significantly greater with droperidol (Groups 2 and 4) for 12 h postoperatively. In conclusion, the combination of ondansetron plus droperidol was more effective than each antiemetic alone or placebo in the prevention of PONV in women undergoing elective abdominal surgery.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract