Granisetron reduces vomiting after strabismus surgery and tonsillectomy in children.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the antiemetic efficacy of granisetron, a selective 5-hydroxytryptamine type 3 receptor antagonist, on postoperative vomiting in children undergoing general anaesthesia for strabismus repair and tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy.


METHODS
In a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study, fifty patients, 4-10 yr of age, were given a single dose of either placebo (saline, n = 25) or granisetron (40 micrograms.kg-1, n = 25) iv over 2-5 min after the induction of anaesthesia and prior to the surgical procedure. Postoperatively, during the first 24 hr after anaesthesia, the frequencies of retching and vomiting were recorded.


RESULTS
There were no differences between the two groups with regard to patient characteristics, surgical procedures and anaesthetic or postoperative management. The incidence of retching was 36% and 12% after administration of placebo or granisetron, respectively (P < 0.05); the corresponding frequencies of vomiting were 32% and 8% (P < 0.05). Four children who had received placebo required another rescue antiemetic drug, whereas none who had received granisetron needed this agent.


CONCLUSIONS
Granisetron is effective in the prevention of retching and vomiting after strabismus repair and tonsillectomy in paediatric patients.
Fujii
Y
Y
Department of Anaesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Tokyo Medical and Dental University School of Medicine, Japan.
Tanaka
H
H
Toyooka
H
H
D000932:Antiemetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D017829:Granisetron / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013285:Strabismus / Q000601:surgery*; D014068:Tonsillectomy; D014839:Vomiting / Q000517:prevention & control*
D000932:Antiemetics; D017829:Granisetron; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists