Preoperative oral granisetron prevents postoperative nausea and vomiting.
BACKGROUND
Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is a commonly observed adverse effect of anaesthesia. This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of granisetron administered orally for preventing PONV in female patients undergoing major gynaecological surgery.


METHODS
In a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study, 120 patients received orally either placebo or granisetron (1 mg, 2 mg or 4 mg) (n = 30 for each) 1 h before surgery. The same standard general plus regional anaesthetic technique was employed throughout. Postoperatively, during the first 24 h after anaesthesia, the incidence of PONV and adverse events was recorded by nursing staff.


RESULTS
The incidence of PONV was 47% with placebo, 37% with granisetron 1 mg, 10% with granisetron 2 mg and 10% with granisetron 4 mg (P < 0.05; overall Fisher's exact probability test). No difference in the incidence of adverse events was observed among the groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Preoperative oral granisetron in a minimum dose of 2 mg is effective for preventing PONV after major gynaecological surgery.
Department of Anaesthesiology, Toride Kyodo General Hospital, Ibaraki, Japan.
Y
Y
Fujii
H
H
Tanaka
H
H
Toyooka
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000758:Anesthesia / Q000009:adverse effects; D000932:Antiemetics / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D017829:Granisetron / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009325:Nausea / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011292:Premedication; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014839:Vomiting / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*
D000932:Antiemetics; D017829:Granisetron