Comparison of ondansetron, metoclopramide and placebo as premedicants to reduce nausea and vomiting after major surgery

In a randomised, double-blind study, we have compared the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting in 124 patients undergoing major lower limb orthopaedic surgery following oral premedication with temazapam and ondansetron 8 mg, metoclopramide 10 mg or placebo. They received a standardised epidural and general anaesthetic. An epidural mixture containing bupivacaine 0.1% and fentanyl 10 mg.ml⁻¹ was infused postoperatively. The occurrence of nausea and vomiting was assessed every 4 h for 24 h. The incidence of vomiting significantly decreased from 55% and 43% in the placebo and metoclopramide groups, respectively, to 26% in the ondansetron group (p = 0.03). The incidence of nausea and vomiting in patients who had previously suffered was also significantly reduced from 67% and 68% in the placebo and metoclopramide groups, respectively, to 29% in the ondansetron group (p = 0.035). We conclude that oral premedication with ondansetron 8 mg was superior to metoclopramide 10 mg and placebo in preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting following major orthopaedic surgery in patients given epidural opioid analgesia.     

地塞米松联合恩丹西酮对手术后病人自控镇痛相关恶心呕吐的影响

目的　观察地塞米松联合恩丹西酮对手术后病人自控镇痛 (PCA)所致恶心呕吐的防治效果。方法　随机将 2 0 0例在连续硬膜外麻醉下行下肢手术的患者分为四组 :对照 (C)组于手术切皮前 (T1)和手术结束时 (T2 )分别静脉注射生理盐水 2ml;地塞米松 (D)组于T1、T2 时分别注射地塞米松 10mg和生理盐水 2ml;恩丹西酮 (O)组于T1、T2 时分别注射生理盐水 2ml和恩丹西酮4mg ;地塞米松 +恩丹西酮 (D +O)组于T1、T2 时分别注射地塞米松 10mg和恩丹西酮 4mg。术毕均行病人自控静脉芬太尼镇痛 (PCIFA)。观察术后 2 4h内病人镇痛效果、镇静评分和恶心呕吐发生情况。结果　 5例患者因故退出此观察。组间镇痛效果、镇静评分无明显差异。C组恶心呕吐发生率为 5 2 1% ,明显高于D组 (33 3% )和O组 (32 7% ) ,P <0 0 5 ;D +O组恶心呕吐发生率为16 0 % ,与C组比较 ,P <0 0 1,与D组和O组比较 ,P <0 0 5 ;各处理组恶心程度均小于对照组 ,P <0 0 5 ;D +O组呕吐程度低于C组 ,P <0 0 5。结论　地塞米松与恩丹西酮单独应用均能有效地减少手术后PCIFA相关的恶心呕吐 ,减轻恶心程度 ;两药联合应用进一步降低患者的恶心呕吐发生率和呕吐的程度     

Comparison of anti-emetic effects of ondansetron, metoclopromide or a combination of both in children undergoing surgery for strabismus

This prospective, randomized and double-blinded study was designed to evaluate the anti-emetic efficacy of a combination of ondansetron and metoclopramide in 100 ASA physical status I and II children of either sex and 1-15 years of age undergoing elective surgery for strabismus. A standardized anaesthetic technique and post-operative analgesia were used for all the children. Children were divided into four groups. They received saline, metoclopromide 250 micrograms kg-1, ondansetron 150 micrograms kg-1 or a combination of metoclopramide 150 micrograms kg-1 and ondansetron 100 micrograms kg-1 intravenously immediately after the insertion of an intravenous cannulae. There were no differences between the groups in their age, gender, weight, duration of surgery, number of muscles subjected to surgery or intravenous fluids received. In the first 24 post-operative hours, 18 (72%) patients in the placebo group, 15 (60%) patients in the metoclopramide group, 10 (40%) patients in the ondansetron group and 11 (44%) patients in the combination group had nausea or vomiting. The overall incidence of post-operative nausea and vomiting was significantly (P < 0.05) lower in the combination group and in the ondansetron group compared with the placebo group. Nine (36%) patients in both the placebo and the metoclopramide groups and one (4%) patient in the ondansetron group required rescue anti-emetic treatment. None of the patients in the combination group required rescue anti-emetic and this was significantly less (P < 0.01) when compared with the placebo and the metoclopramide groups. Recovery and sedation scores were comparable in all the four groups. A combination of metoclopramide 150 micrograms kg-1 and ondansetron 100 micrograms kg-1 administered prior to surgery was not found to be more effective than ondansetron 150 micrograms kg-1 alone for the prophylaxis of nausea and vomiting following surgical repair of strabismus in paediatric patients.     

Postoperative nausea and vomiting after breast surgery: efficacy of prophylactic ondansetron and droperidol in a randomized placebo-controlled study

Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is a common adverse phenomenon following breast surgery. The efficacy of ondansetron and droperidol in preventing post-operative nausea and vomiting in women undergoing breast surgery was compared in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Altogether 207 women were randomly assigned to receive either a single intravenous dose of droperidol (1.25 mg) (n = 69), ondansetron (8 mg) (n = 67) or saline (n = 71) immediately after induction of general anaesthesia with thiopental, fentanyl, atracurium, nitrous oxide in oxygen and isoflurane. Complaints of nausea, vomiting and requests for rescue antiemetics were recorded during a 24-h period postoperatively. During the initial 2 h in the postanaesthesia care unit, the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting was 15%, 6% and 12% in the placebo, droperidol and ondansetron groups, respectively (NS). The incidence of post-operative nausea and vomiting during the first 24 h was 61%, 48% and 45% in the placebo, droperidol and ondansetron treatment groups, respectively (NS). Postoperative analgesic requirements and the length of stay in the post-anaesthesia care unit were equal in all three treatment groups. It is concluded that the intravenous pretreatment with single doses of ondansetron or droperidol did not substantially prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting after breast surgery.     

Ondansetron, orally disintegrating tablets versus intravenous injection for prevention of intrathecal morphine-induced nausea, vomiting, and pruritus in young males

In this study we compared the efficacy of orally disintegrating tablets (ODT) and IV ondansetron for preventing spinal morphine-induced pruritus and postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in healthy young male patients. Patients who received bupivacaine with 0.20 mg morphine for spinal anesthesia were randomly assigned to the ODT group (ODT ondansetron 8 mg, n = 50), the IV group (4 mg ondansetron IV, n = 50), or the placebo group (n = 50). Each individual was assessed for pruritus, postoperative nausea and vomiting, and pain at 0, 2, 6, 12, 18, and 24 h after surgery using three distinct visual analog scales. The frequencies of postoperative nausea and vomiting and frequencies of requirement for rescue antiemetic and antipruritic were recorded. There were no significant differences among the three groups with respect to incidence or severity of PONV or postoperative pain visual analog scale scores. The incidences of pruritus in the ODT (56%) and IV (66%) groups were significantly different from that in the placebo group (86%) (P < 0.02 for both). Only the ODT group had significantly lower mean pruritus visual analog scale scores at 0, 2, 6, and 12 h postsurgery than the placebo group (P < 0.023 for all). The frequency of requirement for rescue antipruritic was significantly less in the ODT group than the placebo group (P = 0.013). Both ODT ondansetron 8 mg and IV ondansetron 4 mg are more effective than placebo for preventing spinal morphine-induced pruritus, but neither form of this agent reduces spinal morphine-induced postoperative nausea and vomiting in this patient group.     

Olanzapine as an add-on,pre-operative anti-emetic drug for postoperative nausea or vomiting: a randomised controlled trial

Postoperative nausea or vomiting occurs in up to 40% in patients with multiple risk factors, despite prophylaxis. Olanzapine is an antipsychotic drug that is used to prevent nausea and vomiting in palliative care and to treat chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. This study aimed to examine whether pre-operative olanzapine, as a prophylactic anti-emetic added to intra-operative dexamethasone, ondansetron and total intravenous anaesthesia, reduced the incidence of postoperative nausea or vomiting. We performed a multiply-blinded randomised controlled trial in patients aged 18–60 years with cancer at high risk of postoperative nausea or vomiting (three or four risk factors according to the Apfel criteria) plus a previous history of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Patients were allocated at random to receive 10 mg olanzapine or placebo orally 1 h before surgery in addition to a two-drug regimen (dexamethasone and ondansetron) and propofol anaesthesia to prevent postoperative nausea or vomiting. The primary outcome was the incidence of postoperative nausea or vomiting in the first 24 h after surgery. In total, 100 patients were enrolled; 47 in the olanzapine group and 49 in the control group completed the study. The baseline characteristics of the groups were similar. The incidence of postoperative nausea or vomiting in the first 24 h after surgery was lower in the olanzapine group (12/47, 26%) than in the control group (31/49, 63%) (p = 0.008, RR 0.40 (95%CI 0.21–0.79)). Adding pre-operative oral olanzapine to intra-operative dexamethasone and ondansetron was highly effective in reducing the risk of postoperative nausea or vomiting in the first 24 hours after surgery in patients with a previous history of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting and at least three Apfel risk factors for postoperative nausea or vomiting.     

Intrathecal fentanyl is superior to intravenous ondansetron for the prevention of perioperative nausea during cesarean delivery with spinal anesthesia

This study compares intrathecal (IT) fentanyl with IV ondansetron for preventing intraoperative nausea and vomiting during cesarean deliveries performed with spinal anesthesia. Thirty healthy parturients presenting for elective cesarean delivery with standardized bupivacaine spinal anesthesia were randomized to receive 20 microg IT fentanyl (Group F) or 4 mg IV ondansetron (Group O) by using double-blinded methodology. At eight specific intervals during the surgery, a blinded observer questioned the patient about nausea (1 = nausea, 0 = no nausea), observed for the presence of retching or vomiting (1 = vomiting or retching, 0 = no vomiting or retching), and recorded a verbal pain score (0-10, 0 = no pain, 10 = worst pain imaginable). Cumulative nausea, vomiting, and pain scores were calculated as the sum of the eight measurements. Intraoperative nausea was decreased in the IT fentanyl group compared with the IV ondansetron group: the median (interquartile range) difference in nausea scores was 1 (1, 2), P = 0.03. The incidence of vomiting and treatment for vomiting was not different (P = 0.7). The IT fentanyl group had a lower cumulative perioperative pain score than the IV ondansetron group; the median difference in the cumulative pain score was 12 (8, 16) (P = 0.0007). The IT fentanyl group required less supplementary intraoperative analgesia. The median difference in the cumulative fentanyl dose was 100 (75, 100) microg fentanyl, (P = 0.0002).     

Ondansetron/promethazine combination or promethazine alone reduces nausea and vomiting after middle ear surgery

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To determine the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting when a combination of ondansetron and promethazine is given prophylactically, and to ascertain the effect of postoperative nausea and vomiting on recovery room duration and patient satisfaction. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study. SETTING: University-affiliated tertiary-care hospital. PATIENTS: 87 ASA physical status I and II adult patients scheduled for middle ear surgery. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomly assigned to receive one of the following interventions intravenously: ondansetron 4 mg (Group 1), promethazine 25 mg (Group 2), ondansetron 2 mg plus promethazine 12.5 mg (Group 3, combination), or placebo (Group 4). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Independent, study blinded observers recorded complaints of nausea and number of episodes of vomiting for 24 hours following the patient's first response to commands. All patients were contacted the day after discharge to inquire about nausea and vomiting. The awakening time, postanesthesia care unit and day surgery unit durations, opioid use, and side effects were recorded. At the end of the 24-hour period, the study blinded observers asked patients for an overall assessment of their global anesthesia experience using an 11-point scale. During the 24-hour period, the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting was reduced from 74% (placebo) to 39% (promethazine; p = 0.03) and 29% (combination; p = 0.003). Compared with placebo, the severity of vomiting was significantly less in the combination group (p = 0.04). The number of very satisfied patients correlated negatively with the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (p < 0.0001) and with the severity of vomiting (p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: The prophylactic use of an antiemetic with middle ear surgery may reduce postoperative nausea and vomiting over 24 hours, and the ondansetron/promethazine combination or promethazine alone are cost-effective choices. Finally, the combination reduced significantly the severity of vomiting.     

Ondansetron disintegrating tablets of 8 mg twice a day for 3 days did not reduce the incidence of nausea or vomiting after laparoscopic surgery

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Although many antiemetic drugs are available for intravenous use in the hospital setting, few are available after patient discharge. Consequently, nausea and vomiting are frequent complaints from patients at home after ambulatory surgery. We tested the hypothesis that the new 8 mg ondansetron disintegrating tablets will decrease the rate of nausea and vomiting at home after laparoscopic surgery. METHODS: Ninety-six patients were studied in a randomized double-blind study. Starting the first evening after operation and continuing every 12 h for 3 days, patients received either placebo or ondansetron 8 mg disintegrating tablets orally. The patients returned a questionnaire about postoperative nausea and vomiting, other side-effects, e.g. dizziness, headache, nightmare, anxiety and pain, as well as their overall satisfaction at 24 and 72 h after completion of surgery. RESULTS: The rates of nausea and vomiting were similar in the two groups, both during the first 24 h (28 versus 48%, placebo and ondansetron, respectively (ns) and during the 24-72 h (21 versus 35% (ns)). The incidence rate of vomiting was 8% (placebo) versus 12% (ondansetron) during the first 24 h (ns) and 9 versus 13% respectively in the 24-72 h (ns). No difference between groups was observed in overall satisfaction, incidence of postoperative pain or other side-effects. CONCLUSIONS: The use of ondansetron disintegrating tablets of 8 mg twice a day for 3 days did not reduce the incidence of nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing outpatient laparoscopic surgery.     

Substance P (Neurokinin-1) Antagonist Prevents Postoperative Vomiting after Abdominal Hysterectomy Procedures

Background: The safety and antiemetic efficacy of CP-122,721, a novel neurokinin-1 antagonist, was evaluated when administered alone or in combination with ondansetron.

Methods: Using a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study design, CP-122,721 was initially compared with placebo and subsequently to ondansetron alone and in combination for prophylaxis against postoperative nausea and vomiting in 243 women undergoing abdominal hysterectomy. In the dose-ranging studies (n = 86), patients received either CP-122,721 100 mg (vs. placebo) or 200 mg (vs. placebo) orally 60-90 min before induction of anesthesia. In the interaction study (n = 157), patients received CP-122,721 200 mg or placebo 60-90 min before induction of anesthesia, and ondansetron 4 mg or saline 2 ml intravenously 15-30 min before the end of surgery. Patients assessed their level of nausea and pain on arrival in the postanesthesia care unit and at 0.5-, 1-, 1.5-, 2-, 4-, 8-, 12-, and 24-h intervals postoperatively. Emetic episodes, need for rescue antiemetic-antinausea medication, postoperative complications, and patient satisfaction were recorded.

Results: In the initial dose-ranging study, only 10% of the patients experienced emesis within the first 8 h after surgery with CP-122,721 200 mg compared with 50% in the placebo group. CP-122,721 200 mg also decreased the need for rescue medication (25%vs. 48%). CP-122,721 100 mg was less effective than 200 mg in decreasing the incidence of repeated episodes of emesis. In the interaction study, 6% of the patients receiving CP-122,721 200 mg orally experienced emesis less than 2 h after surgery compared with 17% with ondansetron alone. With combined therapy, only 2% experienced emesis. In addition, the median times for 75% of patients to remain free from postoperative nausea and vomiting were 82, 75, and 362 min in the ondansetron, CP-122,721, and combination groups, respectively.     

Dexamethasone is as effective as ondansetron for the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting following breast surgery

INTRODUCTION: Postoperative nausea and vomiting remain a common problem following breast surgery. This study assesses whether dexamethasone is as effective as ondansetron in the control of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). METHODS: Eighty ASA I-III patients undergoing breast surgery for carcinoma of the breast were included in the study. Following premedication with diazepam 5-10 mg, patients were induced with fentanyl 50 micro g and propofol 2-2.5 mg kg-1. A larynx mask was inserted and anesthesia maintained with sevoflurane in oxygen and nitrous oxide. Patients were then randomly divided into two groups: Group D (dexamethasone) was given 4 mg dexamethasone i.v. after induction and Group O (ondansetron) was given 4 mg ondansetron at the same time point. Postoperatively, nausea, vomiting and pain were recorded at 1-h intervals during 4 h, and thereafter every 4 h during 24 h. RESULTS: The incidence of PONV during 24 h was 37% and 33% in Group D and Group O, respectively (NS). No differences were found between the groups in the incidence of postoperative nausea, vomiting or pain at the different time intervals. No differences were found in the incidence of PONV in smokers vs. non-smokers. No side-effects of these drugs were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Ondansetron 4 mg or dexamethasone 4 mg are equally effective in the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting following breast surgery. Other factors being similar, the difference in cost between these drugs would favor the use of dexamethasone instead of ondansetron when monotherapy against PONV is used.     

Ondansetron and tropisetron do not prevent intraspinal morphine- and fentanyl-induced pruritus in elective cesarean delivery

BACKGROUND: Although intraspinal morphine has been shown to be effective in providing analgesia after cesarean delivery, pruritus as a side-effect remains a common cause of dissatisfaction. The role of ondansetron has been studied in preventing pruritus but the results have been contradictory. METHODS: We randomized 98 parturients undergoing elective cesarean section using combined spinal-epidural anesthesia into a double-blinded trial to receive tropisetron 5 mg (T group) or ondansetron 8 mg (O group) or placebo (NaCl group) after delivery, when intrathecal morphine 160 microg and fentanyl 15 microg were used for post-operative pain control. The patients additionally received ketoprofen 300 mg per day. Post-operative itching, nausea and vomiting, sedation and need for rescue analgesics were registered every 3 h up to 24 h, and all patients were interviewed on the first post-operative day. RESULTS: Seventy-six percent of the parturients in the placebo group, 87% in the ondansetron, and 79% in the tropisetron group had itching. The incidence of post-operative nausea and vomiting was 21%, 20% and 11% of the patients in the placebo, ondansetron and tropisetron groups, respectively. Medication for pruritus was needed by 31%, 23% and 39% of the patients in the placebo, ondansetron and tropisetron groups, respectively. In the post-operative questionnaire, the patients reported less post-operative nausea in the tropisetron group than in the placebo group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Neither ondansetron nor tropisetron prevent itching caused by intrathecal morphine with fentanyl. However, tropisetron reduced post-operative nausea.     

Substance P (Neurokinin-1) antagonist prevents postoperative vomiting after abdominal hysterectomy procedures

BACKGROUND: The safety and antiemetic efficacy of CP-122,721, a novel neurokinin-1 antagonist, was evaluated when administered alone or in combination with ondansetron. METHODS: Using a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study design, CP-122,721 was initially compared with placebo and subsequently to ondansetron alone and in combination for prophylaxis against postoperative nausea and vomiting in 243 women undergoing abdominal hysterectomy. In the dose-ranging studies (n = 86), patients received either CP-122,721 100 mg (vs. placebo) or 200 mg (vs. placebo) orally 60-90 min before induction of anesthesia. In the interaction study (n = 157), patients received CP-122,721 200 mg or placebo 60-90 min before induction of anesthesia, and ondansetron 4 mg or saline 2 ml intravenously 15-30 min before the end of surgery. Patients assessed their level of nausea and pain on arrival in the postanesthesia care unit and at 0.5-, 1-, 1.5-, 2-, 4-, 8-, 12-, and 24-h intervals postoperatively. Emetic episodes, need for rescue antiemetic-antinausea medication, postoperative complications, and patient satisfaction were recorded. RESULTS: In the initial dose-ranging study, only 10% of the patients experienced emesis within the first 8 h after surgery with CP-122,721 200 mg compared with 50% in the placebo group. CP-122,721 200 mg also decreased the need for rescue medication (25% vs. 48%). CP-122,721 100 mg was less effective than 200 mg in decreasing the incidence of repeated episodes of emesis. In the interaction study, 6% of the patients receiving CP-122,721 200 mg orally experienced emesis less than 2 h after surgery compared with 17% with ondansetron alone. With combined therapy, only 2% experienced emesis. In addition, the median times for 75% of patients to remain free from postoperative nausea and vomiting were 82, 75, and 362 min in the ondansetron, CP-122,721, and combination groups, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Oral CP-122,721 200 mg decreased emetic episodes compared with ondansetron (4 mg intravenously) during the first 24 h after gynecologic surgery; however, there was no difference in patient satisfaction.     

Ondansetron or droperidol for prophylaxis of nausea and vomiting after intrathecal morphine

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: There is a controversy regarding the best drug for prevention of nausea and vomiting in patients receiving intrathecal morphine. The aim of this study was to examine efficacy and tolerability of droperidol compared with ondansetron for the prevention of morphine-induced nausea and vomiting. METHODS: In a randomized, placebo-controlled trial, 120 women undergoing Caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia with intrathecal morphine 0.1 mg received intravenous ondansetron 4 mg (n = 40), droperidol 1.25 mg (n = 40) or saline (n = 40) immediately after umbilical-cord clamping. Nausea and vomiting were graded according to intensity at 1, 2, 4, 6, 12 and 24 h. RESULTS: Nausea or vomiting occurred in 14 patients (35%) in the placebo group, 4 (10%) in the ondansetron group and 10 (25%) in the droperidol group; the difference between ondansetron and placebo was statistically significant (P = 0.007). Eleven of the 14 placebo patients (27.5%) vomited, compared with none of the 4 ondansetron patients (vs. placebo, P = 0.0004) and 5 of the droperidol patients (vs. placebo, P = 0.18). Three of the 14 placebo patients (7.5%) were nauseous, compared with 4 (10%) receiving ondansetron and 5 (12.5%) receiving droperidol. CONCLUSIONS: Ondansetron was effective in reducing the incidence of nausea and vomiting in patients receiving intrathecal morphine for Caesarean section.     

Prophylactic anti-emetic efficacy of ondansetron in laparoscopic cholecystectomy under total intravenous anaesthesiaA randomised, double-blind comparison with droperidol, metoclopramide and placebo

The prophylactic anti-emetic efficacy and safety of pre-operative intravenous ondansetron was evaluated in a randomised, double-blind, comparison with droperidol, metoclopramide and placebo in 160 ASA grade 1 and 2 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy under total intravenous anaesthesia. The patients were randomly allocated to receive ondansetron (4 mg), droperidol (1.25 mg), metoclopramide (10 mg) or placebo given as a single intravenous dose immediately before induction of a standardised general anaesthetic. There were no significant differences between the four study groups with regard to the demographic and anaesthetic data, postoperative analgesia, postoperative sedation scores, duration of postoperative hospital stay and incidence of adverse events. The incidence of nausea and vomiting was significantly lower (p < 0.05) between 1 h and 4 h after surgery in the ondansetron group compared with the droperidol, metoclopramide and placebo groups. The incidence of nausea was similar in the four groups in the other study periods: 0-1 h and 4-24 h. The incidence of vomiting was lower in the ondansetron, droperidol and metoclopramide groups than in the placebo group between 1 and 4 h but was the same between 4 and 24 h. As a result of the lower incidence of nausea and vomiting between 1 h and 4 h in the ondansetron group, the overall incidence of nausea and vomiting was lower during the first 24 h after surgery in this group than in the other three groups.     

Prophylacticiv ondansetron reduces nausea, vomiting and pruritus following epidural morphine for postoperative pain control

PURPOSE: To evaluate the prophylactic effect of ondansetron on nausea and vomiting following epidural morphine for postoperative pain control. METHODS: Seventy women (n = 35 in each group) undergoing abdominal total hysterectomy under epidural anesthesia were enrolled in this randomized, double-blinded, and placebo-controlled study. At the end of surgery, all patients received epidural morphine 3 mg for postoperative pain relief. Before morphine injection, the ondansetron group received iv ondansetron 4 mg, whereas the placebo group received iv saline. RESULTS: Patients in the ondansetron group reported a lower frequency of total postoperative nausea and vomiting (22%) and lower frequency of rescue antiemetic request (12%) than those in the placebo group (52% and 39%, respectively; P < 0.05). In addition, ondansetron was associated with a reduced incidence of pruritus following epidural morphine (28% vs 58%; P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: We conclude that iv ondansetron 4 mg is effective in the prevention of nausea, vomiting, and pruritus following epidural morphine for postoperative pain control.     

Metoclopramide versus ondansetron in prophylaxis of nausea and vomiting for laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative nausea and vomiting are significant problems in laparoscopic surgery. This double-blind, randomized, prospective trial compares the prophylactic use of metoclopramide, ondansetron, and placebo for the treatment of postoperative nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing outpatient laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODS: Two hundred thirty-two patients aged 18 to 73 years were randomized into three groups. Patients received intravenously 10 mg of metoclopramide, 4 mg of ondansetron, or placebo in a double-blinded manner prior to surgery. RESULTS: The incidence of nausea was 32% for metoclopramide, 45% for ondansetron, and 44% for placebo in the postanesthesia care unit or day surgery, which was not statistically significant. The incidence of vomiting was 8% for metoclopramide, 4% for ondansetron, and 22% for placebo in the postanesthesia care unit or day surgery. These differences were statistically significant when comparing both drugs to placebo but not when comparing both drugs to each other. CONCLUSION: Prophylactic administration of metoclopramide or ondansetron significantly reduces the incidence of postoperative vomiting for laparoscopic cholecystectomy, but neither drug was found to be significantly more effective than the other. Metoclopramide is a more cost-effective treatment.     

A randomized, double-blind comparison of ondansetron versus placebo for prevention of nausea and vomiting after infratentorial craniotomy

Ondansetron was compared with placebo for nausea and vomiting prophylaxis after fentanyl/isoflurane/relaxant anesthesia and infratentorial craniotomy. Eight milligrams intravenous ondansetron or vehicle was administered at skin closure. Nausea, emesis, and antiemetic use were recorded at 0, 0.5, 1, 4, 8, 12, 24, and 48 hours. There were no significant intergroup differences for nausea incidence at any interval, but cumulatively the placebo group was 3.2 times more likely to develop nausea during the first 12 hours (P = .04). Nausea incidence was bimodal in both groups, peaking during the first 1 to 4 hours. A nadir occurred at 8 to 12 hours, but nausea increased during the next 36 hours. By 48 hours, approximately 40% of patients in both groups were still nauseated. Reduced vomiting frequency was seen with ondansetron at 4, 8, 12, and 24 hours (P < .05). Despite rescue antiemetics, emesis occurred in an irregular pattern with episodes still observed in 35% of placebo patients at 48 hours. For ondansetron, emesis was infrequent for the first 12 hours but then a persistent increase was observed (48 hours, 22%). The incidence of rescue antiemetic use was 65% for both groups. There was no effect of gender. Nausea and vomiting are frequent and protracted after infratentorial craniotomy. Administration of single-dose ondansetron (8 mg intravenously) at wound closure was partially effective in reducing acute nausea and vomiting but had little delayed benefit. Scheduled prophylactic administration of antiemetic therapy during the first 48 hours after infratentorial craniotomy should be evaluated for efficacy and safety.     

The effect of combining dexamethasone with ondansetron for nausea and vomiting associated with fentanyl-based intravenous patient-controlled analgesia

We investigated whether combined dexamethasone and ondansetron is more effective than ondansetron alone in preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting in patients with fentanyl-based intravenous patient-controlled analgesia. One hundred and thirty patients undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery were assigned to either an ondansetron group or a dexamethasone and ondansetron group. In all patients, ondansetron 4 mg was administered at the end of surgery and 12 mg was added to the patient-controlled analgesia solution. The dexamethasone and ondansetron group received dexamethasone 8 mg at the induction of anaesthesia. The overall incidence of nausea and vomiting during the first 48 h postoperatively did not differ between groups (34/61 (56%) vs 28/62 (45%) in the ondansetron group and dexamethasone and ondansetron groups, respectively). The incidence of severe nausea and vomiting (≥ 7 nausea on an 11-point verbal numerical rating scale, retching or vomiting) was higher in the ondansetron group than in the dexamethasone and ondansetron group (15/61 (25%) vs 6/62 (10%, respectively, p=0.028). Combined dexamethasone and ondansetron is more effective in reducing severe nausea and vomiting than ondansetron alone in patients receiving fentanyl-based intravenous patient-controlled analgesia.     

The efficacy of postoperative ondansetron (Zofran) orally disintegrating tablets for preventing nausea and vomiting after acoustic neuroma surgery

Postoperative nausea and vomiting is a frequent complication of craniotomy. We evaluated the ability of intraoperative IV ondansetron followed by postoperative ondansetron in an orally disintegrating tablet formulation to reduce the frequency and severity of postoperative nausea and vomiting in a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled double-blind trial of 60 patients undergoing acoustic neuroma resection. Each patient received intraoperative ondansetron (4 mg IV) or placebo 30 min before case end. Postoperatively, patients received ondansetron in an orally disintegrating tablet formulation (8 mg BID) or placebo twice a day for up to 72 h. Metoclopramide was available as rescue therapy for both groups. Severity of nausea (as measured on a 10-cm visual scale), number of emetic episodes, and requirement for rescue therapy were recorded. In the immediate postoperative period, nausea severity was less in patients treated with ondansetron than placebo (3.3 +/- 4.1 versus 7.3 +/- 4.2; P < 0.001) and fewer patients experienced vomiting (3 of 28 versus 11 of 32; chi2 P < 0.01). More patients required some form of rescue treatment in the placebo group on the first postoperative day (26 of 32 versus 16 of 28; chi2 P < 0.01). We conclude that after acoustic neuroma surgery IV ondansetron treatment prevents immediate postoperative nausea and vomiting. Postoperative treatment with ondansetron in an orally disintegrating tablet formulation was associated with less frequent rescue therapy as compared with placebo on the first postoperative day.