Small doses of propofol, droperidol, and metoclopramide for the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting after thyroidectomy.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of small doses of propofol, droperidol, and metoclopramide for the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) after thyroidectomy.


METHODS
Prospective, randomized, double-blinded study.


METHODS
University-affiliated teaching hospital.


METHODS
In a randomized, double-blinded study, 90 patients (75 females) received propofol 0.5 mg/kg, droperidol 20 microg/kg, or metoclopramide 0.2 mg/kg intravenously (n = 30 in each group) at the end of surgery. A standardized general anesthetic technique was used.


RESULTS
The incidence of PONV during the first 24 hours after anesthesia was recorded in 13%, 47%, and 50% of patients who had received propofol, droperidol, and metoclopramide, respectively (P < 0.05; overall Fisher exact probability test). No clinically important adverse events were observed in any of the groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Small dose (0.5 mg/kg) of propofol is more effective than droperidol or metoclopramide for the prevention of PONV after thyroidectomy.
Department of Anesthesiology, Toride Kyodo General Hospital, Toride City, Ibaraki, Japan.
Y
Y
Fujii
H
H
Tanaka
N
N
Kobayashi
D000932:Antiemetics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004329:Droperidol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008787:Metoclopramide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D020250:Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015742:Propofol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013965:Thyroidectomy
D000932:Antiemetics; D008787:Metoclopramide; D004329:Droperidol; D015742:Propofol