title: Combination of droperidol and ondansetron reduces PONV after pediatric strabismus surgery more than single drug therapy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pediatric strabismus surgery is associated with a very high incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting [(PONV) 44-88%]. Droperidol (10-75 microg kg(-1)) and ondansetron (50-150 microg kg(-1)) have shown variable success in reducing the incidence and severity of PONV. Combination of these two drugs has shown promising results. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the combination of these two drugs in reducing the incidence and severity of PONV in pediatric strabismus surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  After institutional approval and parental informed consent, 240 children of ASA physical status I and II of either sex, aged 1-15 years were included in this study. None of the children received any premedication and a standardized anesthesia technique was used for all the children. They were prospectively randomized to one of the four treatment groups. Group PP received normal saline placebo intravenously after induction and at the end of the procedure. Group DP received droperidol 25 microg kg(-1) after induction and normal saline at the end. Group OP received ondansetron 150 microg kg(-1) after induction and saline at the end. Group DO received droperidol 15 microg kg(-1) after induction and ondansetron 100 microg kg(-1) at the end.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Combination prophylaxis resulted in a lower incidence of PONV (13%) as compared to placebo (62.5%, P<0.001), ondansetron (37%, P<0.001), or droperidol (32%, P<0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Droperidol 15 microg kg(-1) in combination with ondansetron 100 microg kg(-1), administered at the induction and end of the operative procedure respectively, is more effective than either drug given individually in reducing the incidence of PONV after strabismus surgery.
authors: Department of Anaesthesia, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, A.I.I.M.S., Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, India.
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Shende
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Bharti
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Kathirvel
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Madan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000769:Anesthesia, Inhalation; D000932:Antiemetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004329:Droperidol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D017294:Ondansetron / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013508:Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures; D020250:Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013285:Strabismus / Q000601:surgery*
chemical_list: D000932:Antiemetics; D017294:Ondansetron; D004329:Droperidol