Comparison of anti-emetic effects of ondansetron and low-dose droperidol in pediatric strabismus surgery.
OBJECTIVE
Strabismus surgery is associated with a high incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting. A dose of 150 microg/kg(-1) of ondansetron has been found to be effective in reducing nausea and vomiting in pediatric patients. However, droperidol (20 to 75 microg/kg(-1)) has shown variable success with various side effects. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of 25 microg/kg(-1) of droperidol and compare it with that of 150 microg/kg(-1) of ondansetron in pediatric strabismus surgery.


METHODS
After institutional approval and parental informed consent, 120 children aged 1 to 15 years were prospectively randomized into one of three groups. Group 1 received normal 'saline (placebo), group 2 received 25 microg/kg(-1) of droperidol, and group 3 received 150 microg/kg(-1) of ondansetron after induction of anesthesia. Children were assessed postoperatively for the incidence and severity of vomiting, recovery from anesthesia, and analgesic requirement for 24 hours.


RESULTS
There was a significant (P < .05) reduction in the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting in the ondansetron (37.5%) and droperidol (30%) groups compared with the placebo (62.5%) group. The vomiting was also significantly less severe in these groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Doses of 25 microg/kg(-1) of droperidol and 150 microg/kg(-1) of ondansetron administered at induction of anesthesia are equally effective in reducing the incidence and severity of postoperative nausea and vomiting in children undergoing strabismus surgery.
Bharti
Neerja
N
Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, AIIMS, New Delhi, India.
Shende
Dilip
D
D000293:Adolescent; D000932:Antiemetics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004329:Droperidol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009325:Nausea / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009801:Oculomotor Muscles / Q000601:surgery; D017294:Ondansetron / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012449:Safety; D013285:Strabismus / Q000601:surgery*; D014839:Vomiting / Q000517:prevention & control*
D000932:Antiemetics; D017294:Ondansetron; D004329:Droperidol