A comparison of the effects of droperidol and the combination of droperidol and ondansetron on postoperative nausea and vomiting for patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the prophylactic antiemetic efficacy of the combination of ondansetron and droperidol with that of droperidol alone in patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy.


METHODS
Randomized, double-blind controlled trial. University affiliated teaching hospital after induction of standardized general anesthesia.


METHODS
64 ASA physical status I or II patients aged 18 to 80 years, undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy.


METHODS
Following induction of general anesthesia, patients received either droperidol 1.25 mg intravenously (IV; n = 30; Group D) or the combination of droperidol 1.25 mg IV and ondansetron 4 mg IV (n = 34; Group D+O).


METHODS
Number and severity of nausea episodes, number of emetic episodes, total analgesic consumption, and rescue antiemetic administration were assessed at 1, 3, and 24 hours after admission to the recovery room. Data were analyzed using Fisher's Exact test and unpaired Student's t-test; a p-value <0.05 was considered significant.


RESULTS
The proportions of patients who experienced nausea (70% and 53% for D and D+O groups, respectively) and vomiting (30% and 19% for D and D+O groups, respectively) were similar in the two groups. The frequency of moderate and severe nausea (requiring administration of antiemetic) was less in group D + O (7%) compared with group D (19%; p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Patients who received the combination of droperidol and ondansetron experienced less severe nausea compared with patients who received droperidol alone.
Awad
Imad T
IT
Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, Cork University Hospital, Cork, Republic of Ireland.
Murphy
Deirde
D
Stack
Damian
D
Swanton
Brian J
BJ
Meeke
Rodney I
RI
Shorten
George D
GD
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000768:Anesthesia, General; D000932:Antiemetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004329:Droperidol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017294:Ondansetron / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020250:Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000932:Antiemetics; D017294:Ondansetron; D004329:Droperidol