Preoperative oral antiemetics for reducing postoperative vomiting after tonsillectomy in children: granisetron versus perphenazine.

In a prospective, randomized, double-blinded trial, we evaluated the efficacy of two antiemetics given orally, granisetron and perphenazine, for preventing postoperative vomiting after tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy in children. One hundred pediatric patients, ASA physical status I, aged 4-10 yr, received either granisetron 40 microg/kg or perphenazine 70 microg/kg (n = 50 each) orally 1 h before surgery. We used a standard general anesthetic technique. The rate of complete response, defined as no emesis and no need for rescue antiemetic medication, during 0-3 h after anesthesia was 86% with granisetron and 60% with perphenazine; the corresponding rate 3-24 h after anesthesia was 86% and 62%, respectively (P < 0.05). No serious adverse events were observed in any of the groups. In conclusion, preoperative oral granisetron is more effective than perphenazine for preventing postoperative vomiting in children undergoing tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy. IMPLICATIONS: We compared the efficacy of granisetron and perphenazine given orally for preventing postoperative vomiting after tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy in children. Preoperative oral granisetron was more effective than perphenazine.