title: Antiemetic efficacy of ondansetron in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  to assess the effectiveness of ondansetron in preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting after elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and the effect of this anesthetic on hospital stay.
  
  
  METHODS
  this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was done in the General Surgery Service of the Getafe University Hospital. Patients who were scheduled for laparoscopic cholecystectomy to treat uncomplicated cholelithiasis, and who had an ASA status of I-II, were recruited. Before surgery the patients received either ondansetron 4 mg or placebo intravenously. This study was approved by the local ethics committee.
  
  
  RESULTS
  56 patients were included, 29 in the ondansetron group and 27 in the placebo group. In the latter, 4 patients were later excluded because of conversion to open surgery. Postoperative nausea and emetic episodes were experienced by 7% of the patients in the ondansetron group and 47% in the placebo group (p = 0.0007). Oral intake started 7 h after surgery in the ondansetron group and 11 h after surgery in the placebo group (p = 0.04), with a mean difference of 4 h. Hospital stay was 30 h and 48 h respectively (p = 0.01), with a mean difference of 18 h.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ondansetron given prior to surgery at a dose of 4 mg prevents postoperative nausea and vomiting after laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and reduces hospital stay.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Cirugía General y del Aparato Digestivo, Hospital Universitario de Getafe, Getafe, Madrid, España.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ruiz de Adana
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tobalina Bonis
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: García Galán
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hernández Matías
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fernández Luengas
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ortega Deballón
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: López Herrero
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moreno Azcoita
mesh_terms: D000932:Antiemetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017294:Ondansetron / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020250:Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000932:Antiemetics; D017294:Ondansetron