title: Prophylaxis for vomiting by children after tonsillectomy: ondansetron compared with perphenazine.
abstract: We have compared the effects of ondansetron and perphenazine on vomiting after tonsillectomy in 216 healthy children, aged 2-12 yr. The study was randomized, stratified, blocked and double blind. Anaesthesia was induced with propofol i.v. or by inhalation of halothane and nitrous oxide. Ondansetron 150 micrograms kg-1 or perphenazine 70 micrograms kg-1 was administered i.v. after induction of anaesthesia in a double-blind manner. Perioperative management of emesis, pain, fluids and patients discharge were standardized. Ondansetron and perphenazine had similar effects on postoperative vomiting (44% vs 41%; ondansetron vs perphenazine P = 0.77). By logistic regression analysis, the only significant predictor of postoperative vomiting was sex, that is males had a greater incidence of vomiting (49% vs 35%; P = 0.016). In-hospital vomiting was associated with a prolongation of stay in the day-care surgical unit of 7 min per episode of vomiting (P = 0.015). We conclude that ondansetron and perphenazine had similar effects on vomiting in children after tonsillectomy in a day-case setting.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, Canada.
authors.forename: W M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Splinter
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Rhine
mesh_terms: D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures; D000769:Anesthesia, Inhalation; D000771:Anesthesia, Intravenous; D000932:Antiemetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D017294:Ondansetron / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010546:Perphenazine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012737:Sex Factors; D014068:Tonsillectomy; D014839:Vomiting / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000932:Antiemetics; D017294:Ondansetron; D010546:Perphenazine