Small dose of propofol for preventing nausea and vomiting after third molar extraction.
OBJECTIVE
The study goal was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a small dose of propofol for the prevention of nausea and vomiting following third molar extraction.


METHODS
In a prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial, 90 women received placebo or propofol at 2 different doses (0.25 mg/kg, 0.5 mg/kg) (n = 30 of each) intravenously at the end of surgery. A standard general anesthetic technique, including sevoflurane and nitrous oxide in oxygen, was employed throughout the surgical procedure. Emetic episodes and safety assessments were performed during 0 to 3 hours and 3 to 24 hours after after anesthesia.


RESULTS
The rate of patients experiencing emesis-free (no nausea, retching, or vomiting) during 0 to 3 hours after anesthesia was 60% with placebo, 66% with propofol 0.25 mg/kg (P =.395), and 90% with propofol 0.5 mg/kg (P =.001); the corresponding rate during 3 to 24 hours after anesthesia was 60%, 63% (P = 0.5), and 87% (P =.02) (P values compared with placebo). No clinically serious adverse effects due to the study drug were observed in any group.


CONCLUSIONS
Prophylactic therapy with a small dose (0.5 mg/kg) of propofol is effective for preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting in female patients undergoing general anesthesia for third molar extractions.
Fujii
Yoshitaka
Y
Department of Anesthesiology, University of Tsukuba Institute of Clinical Medicine, Tsukuba City, Ibaraki, Japan. yfujii@igaku.md.tsukuba.ac.jp
Uemura
Aki
A
Nakano
Mayu
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000766:Anesthesia, Dental / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000768:Anesthesia, General / Q000009:adverse effects; D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D020250:Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015742:Propofol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014081:Tooth Extraction / Q000009:adverse effects*
D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous; D015742:Propofol