We compared the antiemetic efficacy of aprepitant plus palonosetron versus aprepitant plus ramosetron in patients after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. A total of 88, nonsmoking, female patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomly allocated to 2 groups of 44 each who received palonosetron 0.075 mg (aprepitant plus palonosetron group) and ramosetron 0.3 mg (aprepitant plus ramosetron group) after induction of anesthesia. All patients received aprepitant 80 mg 2 hours before surgery. The incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), use of rescue antiemetic, pain severity, and any side effects were assessed for 24 hours after surgery. The incidence of PONV and use of rescue antiemetic were less in aprepitant plus palonosetron group than in aprepitant plus ramosetron group for 24 hours after surgery (P<0.05, respectively). There was no difference in pain severity and side effects including headache and drowsiness. Aprepitant plus palonosetron significantly prevents PONV, compared with aprepitant plus ramosetron in patients at high risk for PONV after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

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Reactivation of the latent varicella zoster virus in the sensory ganglion causes herpes zoster (HZ). Its characteristic symptom is a painful rash in the involved dermatome. HZ-induced motor weakness is rare and is usually resolved within one year of the onset, but some patients permanently experience motor dysfunction. Epidural steroid administration, with antiviral therapy, can be effective in treating pain from HZ and preventing postherpetic neuralgia. But an epidural block is contraindicated in patients receiving thromboprophylaxis. A psoas compartment block (PCB) provides equivalent analgesic efficacy with significantly low incidence of complication, compared to an epidural block. A 68 year old male patient recieving thromboprophylaxis presented with motor weakness following painful rash in his left L4 dermatome. Ten days before presentation, herpetic rash occurred on his left leg. We performed PCB with a steroid and local anesthetic, which successfully and safely alleviated the pain and motor weakness from HZ.