title: Granisetron/dexamethasone combination for the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting after thyroidectomy.
abstract: This study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of granisetron plus dexamethasone for preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) after thyroidectomy. In a prospective, randomized, double-blind study, 130 female patients received either granisetron 40 micrograms/kg or granisetron 40 micrograms/kg plus dexamethasone 8 mg intravenously immediately before the induction of anaesthesia (n = 65 in each group). A standard general anaesthetic technique was used. A complete response (no PONV, no rescue) during the first three hours after anaesthesia occurred in 85% of patients with granisetron alone and 98% with granisetron plus dexamethasone; the corresponding incidence for the period 3 to 24 hours after anaesthesia was 86% and 98% (P < 0.05; Fisher's exact probability test). No clinically serious adverse events were observed in any of the groups. In conclusion, prophylactic use of granisetron/dexamethasone combination is more effective than granisetron alone for preventing PONV in women undergoing thyroidectomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesiology, Toride Kyodo General Hospital, Ibaraki, Japan.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Fujii
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000771:Anesthesia, Intravenous; D000932:Antiemetics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D017829:Granisetron / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008875:Middle Aged; D020250:Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011292:Premedication; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013965:Thyroidectomy
chemical_list: D000932:Antiemetics; D003907:Dexamethasone; D004338:Drug Combinations; D017829:Granisetron