title: Prophylactic iv ondansetron reduces nausea, vomiting and pruritus following epidural morphine for postoperative pain control.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Medical Research and Anesthesiology, Chi-Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Jann-Inn
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Tzeng
authors.forename: Koung-Shing
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.forename: Shung-Tai
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: Kuang-I
authors.initials: KI
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Kuo-Sheng
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Jhi-Joung
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D000932:Antiemetics; D017294:Ondansetron; D009020:Morphine