Tropisetron reduces postoperative vomiting in children undergoing tonsillectomy.
In this patient, parent and investigator blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled study, children undergoing tonsillectomy (mean age 6.4 years) received either intravenous placebo (n=36) or tropisetron 0.2 mg.kg-1 up to 5 mg (n=35) at induction of anaesthesia with halothane, nitrous oxide and oxygen. Morphine and paracetamol were given in theatre for postoperative pain. Episodes of vomiting were recorded during the first 24 h after surgery. Intravenous tropisetron was significantly (P<0.001, chi-squared) more effective than placebo in controlling the incidence and frequency of emesis during the first 24 h: vomiting was reduced from 89% to 46% and the mean number of vomits from 4.6 to 2.4. Minor side-effects occurred equally in both the placebo and active groups. Intravenous tropisetron is an effective and safe antiemetic for reducing postoperative vomiting in children undergoing tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy.
Jensen
A B
AB
Royal Danish School of Pharmacy, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Christiansen
D B
DB
Coulthard
K
K
Wilkins
A
A
Roberts
G
G
Walt
J H
JH
Rasmussen
M
M
D000769:Anesthesia, Inhalation; D000932:Antiemetics / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006221:Halothane; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007211:Indoles / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D009609:Nitrous Oxide; D020250:Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014068:Tonsillectomy; D000077526:Tropisetron
D000932:Antiemetics; D007211:Indoles; D000077526:Tropisetron; D009609:Nitrous Oxide; D006221:Halothane