Granisetron versus granisetron/dexamethasone combination for the treatment of nausea,retching, and vomiting after major gynecologic surgery: a randomized,double-blind study

BACKGROUND: Granisetron, a selective 5-hydroxytryptamine3 antagonist, is effective for the treatment of patients with postoperative nausea and vomiting. Dexamethasone decreases chemotherapy-induced emesis when added to an antiemetic regimen. OBJECTIVE: This study compared the efficacy of granisetron alone with granisetron/dexamethasone combination for the treatment of nausea and vomiting after major gynecologic surgery. METHODS: In this randomized, double-blind study, patients who were experiencing emetic symptoms during 0 to 3 hours after the end of anesthesia administration received granisetron 40 microg/kg i.v. either alone or in combination with dexamethasone 8 mg. Patients then were observed for 24 hours after study drug administration, with emetic episodes recorded and tolerability assessments performed by nursing staff blinded to treatment. RESULTS: A total of 120 women were enrolled (n = 60 in each treatment group; mean SD] age in the granisetron group, 44 9] years range, 23-63 years]; combination group, 45 8] years range, 21-65 years]). No significant differences in patient demographic characteristics were found between the 2 treatment groups. However, the percentage of patients free of emetic symptoms (nausea, retching, vomiting) was higher in the granisetron/dexamethasone combination group than in the granisetron group (95.0% and 80.0%, respectively; P = 0.012). No clinically serious adverse events attributed to the study drugs were observed in either group. CONCLUSION: In this study, the granisetron/dexamethasone combination was more effective than was granisetron alone for the management of nausea and vomiting during 0 to 3 hours after anesthesia in women undergoing major gynecologic surgery.