Effect of antagonizing residual neuromuscular block by neostigmine and atropine on postoperative vomiting

Eighty patients undergoing outpatient surgery under generalanaesthesia were allocated randomly to two groups: in groupA residual neuromuscular block was antagonized with a mixtureof neostigmine 1.5 mg and atropine 0.5 mg; in group B spontaneousrecovery was allowed. The patients were assessed after operationin hospital and 24 h after discharge. We found a significantdifference (P<0.05) in requirements for antiemetic therapywith a smaller need in the group which received neostigmine(in group A four of 40 patients received an antiemetic comparedwith 12 in group B). There was no significant difference infrequency of nausea or vomiting between the two groups. Theincidence of postoperative nausea was 14 in group A and 18 ingroup B and the number of patients with postoperative vomitingwas 10 in group A and 15 in group B.     

EFFECTS OF SOUNDS PRESENTED DURING GENERAL ANAESTHESIA ON POSTOPERATIVE COURSE

In a double-blind, randomized study, patients undergoing cholecystectomywere administered one of four different sounds during generalanaesthesia: positive suggestions, nonsense suggestions, seasidesounds or sounds from the operating theatre. The effect of thesesounds on the postoperative course was examined to assess intraoperativeauditory registration. No differences were found between thefour groups in postoperative variables.