Prevention of PONV with granisetron, droperidol and metoclopramide in female patients with history of motion sickness.
OBJECTIVE
Motion sickness is one of the patient-related factors associated with postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). This study was undertaken to assess the efficacy of granisetron, droperidol and metoclopramide for preventing PONV in female patients with a history of motion sickness undergoing major gynaecological surgery.


METHODS
In a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study, 120 patients received either 1.25 mg droperidol, 10 mg metoclopramide, 40 micrograms.kg-1 granisetron or placebo (saline) iv immediately before induction of anaesthesia. A standardized anaesthetic technique and postoperative analgesia were used in all patients. During the first 24 hr after anaesthesia, the incidence of PONV and adverse events were recorded by nursing-staff.


RESULTS
The treatment groups were similar for patient demographics, types of surgery, anaesthetics administered and opioid given. The incidence of PONV was 70%, 50%, 57% and 23% in the placebo, droperidol, metoclopramide and granisetron groups, respectively (P < 0.05; overall chi 2 test). No difference in the incidence of adverse events was observed in either group.


CONCLUSIONS
Granisetron is a better prophylactic antiemetic than droperidol or metoclopramide in female patients with a history of motion sickness undergoing major gynaecological surgery.
Fujii
Y
Y
Department of Anesthesiology, University of Tsukuba Institute of Clinical Medicine, Ibaraki, Japan.
Toyooka
H
H
Tanaka
H
H
D000328:Adult; D000932:Antiemetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004329:Droperidol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D017829:Granisetron / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008787:Metoclopramide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009041:Motion Sickness / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009325:Nausea / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014839:Vomiting / Q000517:prevention & control*
D000932:Antiemetics; D004329:Droperidol; D017829:Granisetron; D008787:Metoclopramide