Droperidol and dimenhydrinate alone or in combination for the prevention of post-operative nausea and vomiting after nasal surgery in male patients

Droperidol and dimenhydrinate are inexpensive antiemetic drugs. Droperidol, especially, has been studied extensively, but there are no studies on the combination of both drugs for prevention of post-operative nausea and vomiting. One hundred and forty male hospitalized patients undergoing nasal surgery were randomized to receive one of four anti-emetic regimes: placebo, dimenhydrinate (1 mg kg-1), droperidol (15 micrograms kg-1), or the combination of both drugs (droperidol 15 micrograms kg-1 + dimenhydrinate 1 mg kg-1) administered after induction of anaesthesia. Patients in the dimenhydrinate-group and the combination-group received a second dose of dimenhydrinate 6 h after the first administration to mitigate the short half-life of the drug. For general anaesthesia a standardized technique, including benzodiazepine premedication, propofol, desflurane in N2O/O2, vecuronium, and a continuous infusion of remifentanil, was used. Post-operative analgesia and anti-emetic rescue medication were standardized. Episodes of vomiting, retching, nausea, and the need for additional anti-emetics were recorded for 24 h. The main endpoint of this study was the number of patients who were completely free of post-operative nausea and vomiting (Fisher's Exact Test). Furthermore, the severity of post-operative nausea and vomiting was analysed using a standardized scoring algorithm. The incidence of patients completely free of post-operative nausea and vomiting was 62.9% in the placebo-group, 77.1% in the dimenhydrinate-group (P = 0.21), and 82.9% in the droperidol-group (P = 0.07). This increased to 94.3% in the combination-group (P = 0.0015). In all three treatment groups the severity of post-operative nausea and vomiting was reduced significantly compared with placebo treatment (P = 0.0003). The incidence of side effects was similar in the four groups. Dimenhydrinate was ineffective in reducing the incidence of post-operative nausea and vomiting and droperidol only reduced the severity of post-operative nausea and vomiting. However, the combination of both drugs significantly reduces the incidence of post-operative nausea and vomiting when compared with placebo treatment.     

Droperidol, alizapride and metoclopramide in the prevention and treatment of post-operative emetic sequelae

Women (182) undergoing elective orthopaedic surgery under general anaesthesia received 100 or 200 mg alizapride, 1.25 mg droperidol, 20 mg metoclopramide or a saline placebo intravenously 5-10 min before the end of anaesthesia in a double-blind random fashion to prevent post-operative nausea and vomiting. Administration of the same anti-emetic was repeated during 24 h post-operatively if the patient complained of nausea or retched or vomited. Significantly fewer patients given any of the anti-emetics prophylactically were nauseated or vomited in comparison with patients given saline. The incidence of nausea and vomiting in the saline group was 83%, while in those patients who received an anti-emetic it was as follows: droperidol 35% (P less than 0.001 vs. saline), alizapride, 100 mg 46% (P less than 0.01), alizapride 200 mg 53% (P less than 0.05) and metoclopramide 58% (P less than 0.05). The number of patients needing an additional dose of the same substance in the post-operative period was significantly higher in the saline group (67%) than in the groups which had received droperidol (32%, P less than 0.01) and alizapride 100 mg (37%, P less than 0.05) or 200 mg (33%, P less than 0.05). The patients who received metoclopramide, however, did not differ statistically from the saline group in the treatment of nausea and vomiting. It is concluded that droperidol was the most effective, and metoclopramide the least effective, anti-emetic in this study.     

Comparison of ondansetron and tropisetron combined with droperidol for the prevention of emesis in women with a history of post-operative nausea and vomiting.

The anti-emetic efficacy of prophylactic ondansetron and tropisetron in combination with a low dose of droperidol in patients with high probability for post-operative nausea and vomiting undergoing gynaecological laparoscopy was compared. Patients were randomly allocated in a double-blind manner to receive either ondansetron 8 mg (n = 45) or tropisetron 5 mg (n = 43) at the end of surgery. A standardized general anaesthetic technique was used, including droperidol 0.75 mg. The incidence of nausea was 36% and 49% (P = 0.28), and vomiting occurred in 13% and 14% of the patients in the ondansetron and tropisetron groups, respectively. The onset time for rescue medication was significantly sooner after tropisetron than ondansetron (3 h 18 min vs. 6 h 25 min; P = 0.007). There were no statistically significant differences in efficacy between prophylactic ondansetron and tropisetron combined with droperidol in a high-risk population. However, ondansetron appeared to be more effective in preventing post-operative nausea and vomiting in the early hours after surgery compared with tropisetron.     

Prevention of post-operative nausea and vomiting with combined granisetron and droperidol in women undergoing thyroidectomy

We have compared the efficacy and safety of combined granisetron and droperidol with each anti-emetic alone for preventing post-operative nausea and vomiting after thyroidectomy. In a prospective, randomized, double-blind study, 180 women received granisetron 40 micrograms kg-1, droperidol 20 micrograms kg-1, or granisetron 40 micrograms kg-1 plus droperidol 20 micrograms kg-1 (n = 60 of each) intravenously immediately before induction of anaesthesia. A standard general anaesthetic technique and post-operative analgesia were used. A complete response, defined as no post-operative nausea and vomiting and no need for another rescue anti-emetic, during the first 24 h after anaesthesia occurred in 88%, 60% and 98% of patients who had received granisetron, droperidol and granisetron plus droperidol (P < 0.05; overall Fisher's exact probability test). No clinically important adverse events due to the drugs were observed in any of the groups. In summary, prophylactic use of combined granisetron and droperidol is more effective than each drug alone for the prevention of post-operative nausea and vomiting in female patients undergoing thyroidectomy.     

Droperidol prevents and treats nausea and vomiting after enflurane anaesthesia

One hundred and twelve women undergoing elective orthopaedic surgery under enflurane anaesthesia were given, in a double-blind random fashion, 2.5 mg of droperidol i.m. before anaesthesia, or 1.25 mg of droperidol or a saline placebo i.v. at the end of anaesthesia in an attempt to prevent post-operative vomiting. The administration of droperidol 1.25 mg (for those receiving initially 1.25 mg of droperidol) or saline (for those receiving initially 2.5 mg of droperidol or saline) was repeated i.m. during the 24 post-operative hours in a blind manner if the patient complained of nausea, retched or vomited. Significantly fewer patients (P less than 0.05) given i.m. or i.v. droperidol had emetic symptoms than patients given saline. Furthermore, 51% of the patients given saline needed additional doses of saline, whereas only 27% of the patients given i.m. and 36% of the patients given i.v. droperidol required a second dose (P less than 0.05 between groups). More of the patients given saline (23%) than those given droperidol (8% to 9%), as a blind drug (P less than 0.05), needed to be given additional droperidol as a known anti-emetic because of the failure of the blind drug to prevent or treat symptoms. It is concluded that droperidol given either as a single dose of 2.5 mg i.m. or in repeated doses of 1.25 mg i.v. is effective in the prevention and treatment of post-operative nausea and vomiting after enflurane anaesthesia.     

Disturbing post-operative symptoms are not reduced by prophylactic antiemetic treatment in patients at high risk of post-operative nausea and vomiting

BACKGROUND: To give prophylactics or timely treatment for post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is the question. We compared the intensity and number of disturbing post-operative symptoms (i.e. pain, PONV, headache, fatigue, etc.) after prophylactic antiemetic treatment in a group of patients with >30% risk for post-operative vomiting. METHODS: Four hundred and ninety-five patients, from three hospitals, planned for gynaecological surgery were randomized double blind. They were given granisetron 3 mg, droperidol 1.25 mg or no prophylactic antiemetic. Post-operative symptoms were followed for 24 h using a questionnaire. Symptoms were analyzed both according to their intensity and in a dichotomous fashion. RESULTS: The intensity of different symptoms differed depending on whether droperidol, granisetron or no antiemetic had been given (P = 0.005) but the overall incidence of moderate to very severe symptoms was similar in all groups. No group fared better in general. The total number of symptoms was higher in the groups given prophylactic treatment (P < 0.05). The relative risk reduction for PONV with granisetron or droperidol prophylaxis was 27%[95% confidence interval (CI) 8-43] and 22% (2-38), respectively. The NNT (number needed to treat) for granisetron (0-24 h) was 7 and for droperidol 8. The NNH (number needed to harm) (0-24 h) for headache and visual disturbances was 6 and 13 (NS) for granisteron and, 50 (NS) and 6 for droperidol. CONCLUSION: The intensity of symptoms or the total number of disturbing symptoms did not decrease after prophylactic antiemetic treatment in a group of patients, but the profile of disturbing symptoms changed. The relevance of post-operative symptoms in terms of patients' well-being needs to be addressed.     

Dimenhydrinate for prevention of post-operative nausea and vomiting in female in-patients.

Dimenhydrinate is an inexpensive antihistaminic drug, that is frequently used as an anti-emetic during anaesthesia. The popularity of the drug is contrasted by the lack of modern studies concerning its efficacy in reducing the incidence of post-operative nausea and vomiting. Thus, dimenhydrinate was compared with placebo in this prospective, randomized, double-blind study. One hundred and thirty-three female in-patients were studied. They were stratified according to the type of surgery (laparoscopic cholecystectomy, thyroid resection or knee arthroscopy) to ensure an homogeneous distribution in both groups. General anaesthesia was induced with etomidate, fentanyl, vecuronium and maintained with enflurane in N2O/O2. Neuromuscular block was reversed with pyridostigmine/atropine. Patients in the dimenhydrinate group (n = 67) received 62 mg dimenhydrinate intravenously after induction of anaesthesia. Placebo patients (n = 66) received saline. Administration of dimenhydrinate (and placebo) was repeated three times during the 48-h study to mitigate the short half-life of the drug. Post-operative analgesia and anti-emetic rescue medication was standardized. Episodes of vomiting, retching and the need for additional anti-emetics were recorded. Nausea was assessed using a 10-cm visual analogue scale. Post-operative nausea and vomiting was rated as 'none', 'mild', 'moderate' and 'severe' using a fixed scoring algorithm. There were no differences between the two groups with regard to biometric data, type of surgery and distribution of risk factors for developing post-operative nausea and vomiting. In the dimenhydrinate group, more patients remained completely free from post-operative nausea and vomiting compared with placebo (dimenhydrinate: 38.8%; placebo: 15.1%; P = 0.004). The incidence of severe post-operative nausea and vomiting was also reduced from 39.4% to 14.9%. No relevant side effects were observed. Intra-operative dimenhydrinate, followed by three further administrations after surgery, reduces the incidence and the severity of post-operative nausea and vomiting without side effects. However, there still remained an unacceptable high number of patients who were not prevented completely from experiencing post-operative nausea and vomiting.     

Low-dose haloperidol prevents post-operative nausea and vomiting after ambulatory laparoscopic surgery

Background: We evaluated the prophylactic effect of low-dose haloperidol (1 mg) on post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in women undergoing ambulatory laparoscopic surgery. Droperidol (0.625 mg) and saline were controls.
Methods: One hundred and fifty women undergoing ambulatory laparoscopic surgery under general anaesthesia were enrolled in this randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled study. After tracheal intubation, the haloperidol group ( n =50) received intravenous haloperidol (1 mg), the droperidol group ( n =50) received intravenous droperidol (0.625 mg), and the saline group ( n =50) received intravenous saline.
Results: Haloperidol- and droperidol-group patients reported a lower incidence of PONV [24% and 23% vs. 49% (saline group); P <0.05] and requested fewer doses of rescue antiemetics [13% and 16% vs. 38% (saline group); P <0.05] during the first four post-operative hours. During the 24-h post-operative period, haloperidol- and droperidol-group patients also reported a lower incidence of PONV [31% and 32% vs. 62% (saline group); P <0.01]. No differences were found between the haloperidol and droperidol groups.
Conclusion: Like droperidol (0.625 mg), prophylactic intravenous haloperidol (1 mg) significantly reduced the incidence of PONV in women undergoing ambulatory laparoscopic surgery.     

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.     

An assessment of prochlorperazine buccal for the prevention of nausea and vomiting during intravenous patient-controlled analgesia with morphine following abdominal hysterectomy.

The effectiveness of prochlorperazine buccal as an anti-emetic for the prevention of post-operative nausea and vomiting in patients using intravenous patient-controlled analgesia with morphine following abdominal hysterectomy has been assessed in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Forty-nine female patients participated with 26 allocated to the prochlorperazine buccal group and the remainder to the placebo group. Each received either placebo or prochlorperazine buccal 6 mg, in each case by the buccal route, 1 h prior to anaesthesia with further doses at 6, 18, 30 and 42 h, respectively. Symptom scores in respect of nausea, pain and sedation, the number without nausea, the number without vomiting and the requirement for rescue anti-emetic therapy were noted for each 4-h period during the 48-h study. Morphine utilization and taste associated with the study material were recorded. Data for 21 patients in the placebo group and 25 patients in the prochlorperazine buccal group were available for analysis. Patients in the prochlorperazine buccal group showed significantly lower mean nausea scores at 4-8 h (placebo group: mean nausea score 0.95; prochlorperazine buccal group: mean nausea score 0.36; P < 0.05) and at 16-20 h (placebo group: mean nausea score 1.24; prochlorperazine buccal group: mean nausea score 0.48; P < 0.05). Furthermore, the prochlorperazine buccal group showed significantly more patients without nausea at 4-8 h (placebo group: 11 patients out of 21; prochlorperazine buccal group: 20 patients out of 25; P < 0.05) and at 16-20 h (placebo group: nine patients out of 21; prochlorperazine buccal group: 18 patients out of 25; P < 0.05). The prochlorperazine buccal group showed a significantly higher number of patients rating the taste as unsatisfactory (placebo group: two patients out of 21; prochlorperazine buccal group: nine patients out of 25; P < 0.05). Intravenous droperidol is the current gold standard prophylactic anti-emetic in post-operative nausea and vomiting associated with intravenous patient controlled analgesia with morphine usage. This study has demonstrated a peri-operative prochlorperazine buccal regimen to be effective in post-operative nausea and vomiting prophylaxis in the use of intravenous patient controlled analgesia with morphine. Prochlorperazine buccal should be considered as an effective, inexpensive option for the prevention of post-operative nausea and vomiting in post-operative intravenous patient controlled analgesia with morphine administration.     

The efficacy of ginger root in the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting after outpatient gynaecological laparoscopy

To determine the anti-emetic effect of ginger as compared to droperidol, 120 patients scheduled to have gynaecological diagnostic laparoscopy as day cases were randomly allocated into placebo, droperidol, ginger and ginger plus droperidol groups to receive either 2 g of ginger or 1.25 mg of droperidol or both. There were no significant differences in the incidences of postoperative nausea which were 32%, 20%, 22% and 33%, and vomiting which were 35%, 15%, 25% and 25% in the four groups, respectively. We conclude that ginger powder, in the dose of 2 g, droperidol 1.25 mg or both are ineffective in reducing the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting after day case gynaecological laparoscopy.     

Assessment of ondansetron and droperidol for the prevention of post-operative nausea and vomiting after cholecystectomy and minor gynaecological surgery performed by laparoscopy

The anti-emetic effects of ondansetron and droperidol were evaluated in 134 ASA Grade I and II female patients, scheduled for laparoscopic cholecystectomy and minor gynaecological laparoscopic surgery, who were randomly assigned to receive ondansetron 4 mg or droperidol 75 micrograms kg-1 intravenously immediately after induction of anaesthesia. The patients were assessed 1, 6, 12 and 24 h after surgery for intensity of nausea and number of vomiting episodes. In the case of the patients undergoing laparoscopy, vomiting episodes occurred in a similar proportion in patients treated with ondansetron or droperidol, with the probability of the Type I error of 0.05 and the Type error II of 0.1. Although there was no difference between the two groups in emetic episodes following all laparoscopic procedures and gynaecological laparoscopic surgery, there was a significant difference between these parameters after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The patients treated with ondansetron experienced a lower intensity of nausea (P = 0.04) after laparoscopic cholecystectomy, less frequent severe nausea (P = 0.02) and episodes of vomiting (P = 0.04) when compared with those in the droperidol group. We conclude, that despite the result the droperidol prophylaxis appears to be an effective alternative to ondansetron in all patients undergoing laparoscopy, the ondansetron prophylaxis is superior to droperidol in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.     

Midazolam vs ondansetron for preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting: a randomised controlled trial

We compared the prophylactic anti-emetic efficacy of midazolam and ondansetron in 90 patients scheduled for minor gynaecological (hysteroscopy) or urological (ureteroscopy) procedures planned to last 1-2 h under sevoflurane anaesthesia with spontaneous ventilation of the lungs via a laryngeal mask airway. Midazolam 2 mg or ondansetron 4 mg were administered intravenously 30 min before the end of surgery. The proportions of patients who experienced postoperative nausea and vomiting in the first 24 h (30% and 27% for the midazolam and ondansetron groups, respectively) were similar in the two groups. The incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting was significantly smaller in both groups than predicted according to the patients' underlying risks (midazolam group: p = 0.018; ondansetron group: p = 0.017). There were no significant differences in average sedation scores or pain scores. Treatment using ondansetron for anti-emetic prophylaxis did not provide a superior benefit compared to midazolam in the present study.     

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.     

Prophylactic anti-emetic therapy with granisetron, droperidol and metoclopramide in female patients undergoing middle ear surgery

The efficacy of granisetron, droperidol and metoclopramide for the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting in female patients undergoing middle ear surgery was compared. In a randomised, double-blind study, 180 patients received granisetron 40 micrograms.kg-1, droperidol 20 micrograms.kg-1 or metoclopramide 0.2 mg.kg-1 given intravenously immediately before induction of anaesthesia (n = 60 for each). A standardised general anaesthetic technique was employed throughout. A complete response, defined as no postoperative nausea and vomiting and no need for another rescue anti-emetic, during the first 3 h after anaesthesia was achieved in 83%, 58% and 55% of patients who had received granisetron, droperidol and metoclopramide, respectively. The corresponding incidence during the next 21 h after anaesthesia was 85%, 54% and 47% (p < 0.05). No clinically important adverse effects were observed in any of the groups. We conclude that prophylactic therapy with granisetron is superior to droperidol or metoclopramide in the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting after middle ear surgery.     

Prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting after intrathecal morphine for Cesarean section: a randomized comparison of dexamethasone, droperidol, and a combination

BACKGROUND: Intrathecal morphine provides good analgesia after cesarean delivery but the side effects include nausea and vomiting. Low-dose droperidol (0.625 mg) combined with dexamethasone 4 mg is postulated to have an additive antiemetic effect with less side effects. We therefore compared single doses of dexamethasone and droperidol alone with a low-dose combination of the two, to prevent spinal morphine-induced nausea and vomiting after cesarean section. METHODS: In a double-blind study, 120 women undergoing elective cesarean section under spinal anesthesia (using 0.5% bupivacaine 10 mg and morphine 0.2 mg) were allocated randomly to receive dexamethasone 8 mg, droperidol 1.25 mg, dexamethasone 4 mg and droperidol 0.625 mg, or placebo, before the end of surgery. The incidences of nausea and vomiting, sedative score, pain score, and side effects were recorded. RESULTS: The incidence of nausea and vomiting within 6 h postoperatively was lower and incidence of no nausea and vomiting for 24 h postoperatively was significantly higher for the combination group compared to the placebo group and the dexamethasone only group. Sedation scores within 3 h postoperatively and incidence of restlessness for the combination group were significantly lower than in the droperidol only group. CONCLUSION: An additive antiemetic effect and no significant side effects were shown for the combination of dexamethasone 4 mg and droperidol 0.625 mg. This combination was more effective than either dexamethasone 8 mg or droperidol 1.25 mg alone in preventing nausea and vomiting after spinal anesthesia using 0.5% bupivacaine and morphine 0.2 mg.     

全麻诱导中地塞米松联合氟哌啶预防腹腔镜胆囊切除术后的恶心呕吐

目的：探讨全麻诱导中地塞米松联合氟哌啶预防腹腔镜胆囊切除术后恶心、呕吐的效果。方法：随机将240例ASAⅠ～Ⅱ腹腔镜胆囊切除术患者分为3组（各80例）。Ⅰ组（对照组）全麻诱导中不用地塞米松、氟哌啶;Ⅱ组全麻诱导中用地塞米松10mg;Ⅲ组全麻诱导中用地塞米松10mg和氟哌啶40μg/kg,观察术后48h患者的恶心、呕吐情况。结果：Ⅰ组患者恶心、呕吐的发生率为72.5%;Ⅱ、Ⅲ组恶心、呕吐的发生率分别为32.5%和7.5%,组间比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。结论：全麻诱导中用地塞米松联合小剂量氟哌啶能预防腹腔镜胆囊切除术后的恶心、呕吐。     

Comparison of domperidone, droperidol, and metoclopramide in the prevention and treatment of nausea and vomiting after balanced general anesthesia

Women (185) undergoing elective orthopedic surgery under balanced general anesthesia were given 5 or 10 mg of domperidone, 1.25 mg of droperidol, 10 mg of metoclopramide, or a saline placebo intravenously in a double-blind random fashion 5 minutes before the end of anesthesia to prevent postoperative vomiting. Administration of the same antiemetic was repeated intramuscularly during the first 24 hours postoperatively if the patient complained of nausea or retched or vomited. Sigificantly (p less than 0.05 to p less than 0.001), fewer of the patients given droperidol were nauseated (25%) or vomited (17%) in comparison with patients given saline (incidence of nausea was 55% and vomiting 40%). Incidences of nausea and vomiting were similar in patients given domperidone, metoclopramide, or saline. Furthermore, 39 to 45% of the patients given domperidone, metoclopramide, or saline needed additional doses of the same drug, whereas only 22% of the patient given droperidol required a second dose. It is concluded that droperidol is effective in the prevention and treatment of postoperative nausea and vomiting after balanced general anesthesia but that domperidone or metoclopramide are not.     

Use of Anti-Emetics after Intragastric Balloon Placement: Experience with Three Different Drug Treatments

Background: Tropisetron treatment was compared with alizapride treatment. The secondary aim was to assess whether droperidol supplement would still improve the therapeutic outcome of tropisetron. Materials and Methods: A series of 51 obese patients was treated with an intragastric balloon to obtain weight reduction. Patients were divided at random into 3 groups. Each group received a different antiemetic and spasmolytic regimen to control postoperative nausea and vomiting for 24 hours. Statistical analysis of both parameters showed that all 3 populations are comparable and the studied incidence of vomiting was only influenced by the choice of the antiemetics used. A specially developed form was completed during the recovery period every 6 hours until 24 hours postoperatively and recorded all episodes of vomiting. The incidence of vomiting was then calculated as number of episodes/24 hours Results: The incidence of vomiting was significantly lower in the tropisetron group compared to the alizapride group. There was no significant difference between the tropisetron group and the tropisetron plus droperidol group. Conclusion: To decrease the incidence of vomiting in patients undergoing intragastric balloon placement, tropisetron proved to be the most effective antiemetic. A supplement of droperidol gave no better results but impaired postoperative mood and wellbeing. Alizapride was least effective.     

Postoperative nausea and vomiting with special reference to risk factors and prevention in laparoscopic surgery

The current incidence, risk factors and prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) were prospectively evaluated in 1703 inpatients. The objectives of the study were: 1) to create a predictive model based on patient characteristics in order to enable the estimation of the risk for PONV, 2) to ascertain the antiemetic efficacy of prophylactic intravenous ondansetron in comparison with droperidol and placebo against PONV following laparoscopic surgery, and 3) to evaluate the antiemetic effectiveness of combining ondansetron with a low dose of droperidol in high-risk inpatients. The incidence of nausea and vomiting after common surgical procedures was high. In the recovery room, the overall incidence of nausea and vomiting was 18% and 5%, respectively, and over the whole 24-h observation period the respective figures were 52% and 25%. The most significant predictive factors associated with an increased risk for the symptoms were female sex, a previous history of postoperative nausea and vomiting, a history of motion sickness, a longer duration of surgery and non-smoking. Based on these five items, a risk score predicting nausea and vomiting was constructed with a moderately good discriminating power, as judged from the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve. Intravenous ondansetron 4 mg was ineffective in the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. A higher dose of prophylactic ondansetron 8 mg effectively reduced the incidence and alleviated the intensity of PONV in women scheduled to have laparoscopy for gynaecological and general surgical procedures, as compared with placebo. The antiemetic efficacy of prophylactic ondansetron 8 mg and droperidol 1.25 mg was similar as for overall nausea during the 24-h observation period, but ondansetron seemed to be slightly more efficacious in preventing vomiting. Both ondansetron and droperidol were well-tolerated with only minor side-effects. In a high-risk, female, inpatient laparoscopic population, with a mean estimated risk of 65% for PONV, prophylactically administered ondansetron 8 mg in combination with either a 0.75 mg or 1.25 mg dose of droperidol reduced the incidence of post-operative nausea to 35% and that of vomiting to 15% during the first 24 h after surgery. Of these drug combinations, the smaller dose of droperidol resulted in less postoperative sedation than the higher dose; both combinations being otherwise equally well-tolerated without serious adverse events. These results indicate that postoperative nausea and vomiting can, to some extent, be predicted by a few patient characteristics, and in laparoscopic surgery - which is associated with an increased risk for PONV - the incidence can be reduced with either a single dose of ondansetron or droperidol or a combination of these drugs.