Ondansetron for the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting: which is the best dosage for aesthetic plastic surgery?
BACKGROUND
Ondansetron has been used widely in plastic surgery to prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting. A literature search showed controversial dosages of this drug, and because of its short half-life, its use only before anesthetic induction could have a limited effect. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of intravenous (IV) ondansetron (4 mg) for aesthetic plastic surgery performed with the patient under general anesthesia and the prophylaxis of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in two situations: (a) only before anesthetic induction and (b) before anesthetic induction and immediately before extubation.


METHODS
Of the 60 patients who had general anesthesia for aesthetic plastic surgery, 30 received 4 mg of IV ondansetron before anesthetic induction (control group) and 30 received 4 mg of IV ondansetron before anesthetic induction plus 4 mg IV immediately before extubation (experimental group). The PONV was recorded in the postanesthetic care unit and in the hospital room.


RESULTS
The total occurrence of PONV (n = 60) was 6.7%. In the postanesthetic care unit, one patient in the experimental group (3.3%) manifested this symptom. In the hospital room, two patients in the control group (6.7%) and one patient in the experimental group (3.3%) manifested PONV.


CONCLUSIONS
According to the findings, there was no statistical difference between the groups. However, the dosage used in the control group was effective and less expensive.
Barbosa
Marcus Vinícius Jardini
MV
São Paulo, SP / Brazil. drmbarbosa@ig.com.br
Nahas
Fabio Xerfan
FX
Ferreira
Lydia Masako
LM
Farah
Andréia Bufoni
AB
Bariani
Roberta Lopes
RL
João
Benedito Barbosa
BB
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000932:Antiemetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017294:Ondansetron / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020250:Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011292:Premedication; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000932:Antiemetics; D017294:Ondansetron