title: Prophylactic use of ondansetron for emesis after craniofacial operations in children.
abstract: Children who undergo craniofacial operations are especially at risk of postoperative nausea and vomiting. These operations are more complex than the craniotomies for resective procedures. Postoperative vomiting is a common occurrence that can delay recovery and result in cerebrospinal fluid leak and fistula formation in these patients. Ondansetron, a selective serotonergic antagonist, is effective in reducing postoperative nausea and vomiting in several high-risk populations. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, the authors compared the prophylactic use of intravenous ondansetron 0.15 mg/kg with induction of anesthesia versus a placebo of normal saline 0.3 ml/kg with induction. A second dose was given 8 hours after the first dose. After surgery, episodes of vomiting were recorded separately in 0 to 2 hours, 2 to 6 hours, 6 to 12 hours, 12 to 24 hours, and 24 to 48 hours. Postoperative vomiting is significantly reduced in the ondansetron group compared with the placebo group (P = 0.000258). Ondansetron is effective in the prevention of postoperative vomiting in the pediatric population undergoing craniofacial operations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Ege University Medical School, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gürler
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Celik
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Totan
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Songür
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sakarya
mesh_terms: D000932:Antiemetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D019465:Craniofacial Abnormalities / Q000601:surgery*; D003399:Craniotomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D017294:Ondansetron / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020250:Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000932:Antiemetics; D017294:Ondansetron