title: Ondansetron for the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting: which is the best dosage for aesthetic plastic surgery?
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: São Paulo, SP / Brazil. drmbarbosa@ig.com.br
authors.forename: Marcus Vinícius Jardini
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Barbosa
authors.forename: Fabio Xerfan
authors.initials: FX
authors.lastname: Nahas
authors.forename: Lydia Masako
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.forename: Andréia Bufoni
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Farah
authors.forename: Roberta Lopes
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Bariani
authors.forename: Benedito Barbosa
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: João
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000932:Antiemetics; D017294:Ondansetron