Low-dose droperidol versus standard-dose droperidol for prevention of postoperative vomiting after pediatric strabismus surgery.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether a low dose of droperidol is as effective as a high dose in preventing vomiting after pediatric strabismus surgery.


METHODS
Randomized, double-blind study.


METHODS
Operating room and recovery room at a university medical center.


METHODS
One hundred children undergoing strabismus procedures.


METHODS
Patients were divided randomly into three groups and received either droperidol 75 microgram/kg, droperidol 20 microgram/kg, or saline.


RESULTS
Vomiting was assessed in all groups, as was time to discharge and ability to perform a satisfactory postoperative eye examination. Children who received droperidol vomited less frequently than those who did not (p = 0.0521). There was no difference in the frequency of vomiting between the two groups that received droperidol.


CONCLUSIONS
Droperidol 20 microgram/kg is as effective as droperidol 75 microgram/kg in preventing vomiting after pediatric strabismus surgery. Because higher doses of droperidol may sedate some patients, the lowest effective dose should be used. In this study, however, there was no statistically significant difference with regard to length of recovery room stay.
Brown
R E
RE
Department of Anesthesia, Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC 27103.
James
D J
DJ
Weaver
R G
RG
Wilhoit
R D
RD
Bauman
L A
LA
D000293:Adolescent; D000769:Anesthesia, Inhalation; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004329:Droperidol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013285:Strabismus / Q000601:surgery*; D014839:Vomiting / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*
D004329:Droperidol