Prevention of PONV with granisetron, droperidol or metoclopramide in patients with postoperative emesis.
OBJECTIVE
A high incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) has been noted in patients with a history of postoperative emesis. This study was undertaken to compare the efficacy of granisetron, droperidol and metoclopramide, in the prevention of PONV in such patients undergoing general anaesthesia for major gynaecological surgery.


METHODS
In a randomised, double-blind study, 90 female patients received 2.5 mg granisetron, 1.25 mg droperidol or 10 mg metoclopramide (n = 30 of each) i.v. immediately before induction of anaesthesia. The same standard general anaesthetic technique, which consisted of isoflurane in nitrous oxide and oxygen, was used. Nausea, vomiting and safety assessments were performed continuously during the first 24 hr after anaesthesia.


RESULTS
The incidence of PONV was 20% with granisetron, 57% with droperidol and 60% with metoclopramide (P < 0.05; overall Fisher's exact probability test). No clinically adverse events were observed in any group.


CONCLUSIONS
Granisetron is more effective than droperidol or metoclopramide in preventing PONV in female patients with a history of postoperative emesis.
Fujii
Y
Y
Department of Anaesthesiology, University of Tsukuba Institute of Clinical Medicine, Ibaraki, Japan.
Saitoh
Y
Y
Tanaka
H
H
Toyooka
H
H
D000328:Adult; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004329:Droperidol / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017829:Granisetron / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008787:Metoclopramide / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014839:Vomiting / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*
D004329:Droperidol; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents; D017829:Granisetron; D008787:Metoclopramide; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists