title: Subhypnotic doses of propofol possess direct antiemetic properties.
abstract: Propofol is associated with a low incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting. In a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, we investigated the possible direct antiemetic properties of a subhypnotic dose of propofol. Fifty-two ASA physical status I or II patients, aged 15-60 yr with nausea and vomiting after minor gynecologic, orthopedic, or digestive tract surgery, were included in the study and received either propofol (10 mg = 1 mL) or placebo (1 mL Intralipid) intravenously in the postanesthesia care unit. Patients treated with propofol experienced a larger reduction in nausea and vomiting than patients treated with placebo (81% vs 35% success rate; P less than 0.05). Patients successfully treated had a similar incidence of relapse (propofol 28%; placebo 22%) within the first 30 min after therapy. Thirty-three percent of the propofol-treated patients and 44% of the placebo-treated patients showed a minor increase in sedation. The level of postoperative pain did not change in either group. Hemodynamic values remained unchanged in both groups. Pain on injection (7.6%) or dizziness (3.6%) only occurred in the propofol group. We conclude that propofol has significant direct antiemetic properties.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesiology, University of Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Borgeat
authors.forename: O H
authors.initials: OH
authors.lastname: Wilder-Smith
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Saiah
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rifat
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000932:Antiemetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009325:Nausea / Q000517:prevention & control; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D015742:Propofol / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014839:Vomiting / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D000932:Antiemetics; D015742:Propofol