Anaesthesia with sevoflurane in children: nitrous oxide does not increase postoperative vomiting

BACKGROUND: Nitrous oxide (N2O) has been associated with postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), but some studies show conflicting data. The aim of this study was to assess whether the combination of N2O/sevoflurane, in paediatric general anaesthesia, increases the incidence of vomiting in the 24 h following surgery compared with sevoflurane alone. METHODS: One hundred and fourteen children, aged 1-10 years, who underwent testicle and inguinal hernia surgery, were randomized to receive one of the following two anaesthetic regimens: sevoflurane with 70% N2O (group A) or sevoflurane alone (group B). RESULTS: No significant differences were observed in the incidence of postoperative vomiting between the two groups. The overall incidence of postoperative vomiting was 14.9%; 14.3% in group A and 15.5% in group B (P=0.9). CONCLUSIONS: Nitrous oxide used in combination with sevoflurane is not associated with an increase in the incidence of emesis in children who undergo testicle and inguinal hernia procedures.