title: Relationship of the menstrual cycle to postoperative incidence of emesis after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
abstract: Despite advances in anesthetic practice and surgical techniques, the overall incidence of postoperative vomiting (POV) ranges from 20% to 30% during the first 24 hours after surgery. Studies specifically examining the relationship between POV and the menstrual cycle demonstrate equivocal findings. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the incidence of POV and the phase of the menstrual cycle, age, body mass index, history of POV, duration of anesthesia, and use of droperidol among 79 women undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Sixteen subjects were stratified to the menstruating group and 63 to the nonmenstruating group. Analysis of demographic data revealed no significant differences between groups. Chi square analysis indicated that women in the menstruating group were more likely to experience POV (chi 2 = 20.87, P < .01). Among those receiving droperidol (n = 43; 54%), analysis revealed that those in the menstruating group experienced POV at a significantly higher rate (chi 2 = 9.15, P < .05). A reduction of POV may be accomplished by scheduling elective surgery to avoid the correlating menstrual cycle peaks.
authors.affiliation: Calumet Surgery Center, Munster, Indiana, USA. Patk@netnitco.net
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Konvalinka
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000932:Antiemetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004329:Droperidol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008597:Menstrual Cycle; D020250:Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000932:Antiemetics; D004329:Droperidol