Prophylactic iv ondansetron reduces nausea, vomiting and pruritus following epidural morphine for postoperative pain control.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the prophylactic effect of ondansetron on nausea and vomiting following epidural morphine for postoperative pain control.


METHODS
Seventy women (n = 35 in each group) undergoing abdominal total hysterectomy under epidural anesthesia were enrolled in this randomized, double-blinded, and placebo-controlled study. At the end of surgery, all patients received epidural morphine 3 mg for postoperative pain relief. Before morphine injection, the ondansetron group received iv ondansetron 4 mg, whereas the placebo group received iv saline.


RESULTS
Patients in the ondansetron group reported a lower frequency of total postoperative nausea and vomiting (22%) and lower frequency of rescue antiemetic request (12%) than those in the placebo group (52% and 39%, respectively; P < 0.05). In addition, ondansetron was associated with a reduced incidence of pruritus following epidural morphine (28% vs 58%; P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that iv ondansetron 4 mg is effective in the prevention of nausea, vomiting, and pruritus following epidural morphine for postoperative pain control.
Tzeng
Jann-Inn
JI
Departments of Medical Research and Anesthesiology, Chi-Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan.
Chu
Koung-Shing
KS
Ho
Shung-Tai
ST
Cheng
Kuang-I
KI
Liu
Kuo-Sheng
KS
Wang
Jhi-Joung
JJ
D000328:Adult; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000767:Anesthesia, Epidural; D000932:Antiemetics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009020:Morphine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017294:Ondansetron / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D020250:Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011537:Pruritus / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D000932:Antiemetics; D017294:Ondansetron; D009020:Morphine