Comparison of laser acupuncture and metoclopramide in PONV prevention in children.
BACKGROUND
Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) are frequent side effects of general anesthesia in children. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of laser acupuncture with metoclopramide in prevention of PONV in children after sevoflurane anesthesia.


METHODS
A total of 120 children ASA I and II, scheduled for hernia repair, circumcision or orchidopexy were randomly assigned into three groups: group I, received laser acupuncture on P6 point and saline infusion; group II, metoclopramide 0.1 mg.kg(-1) i.v. and sham laser; group III had sham laser and saline infusion. Anesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane and N(2)O/O(2). Patients were monitored for any symptoms of retching and vomiting at 2, 6 and 24 h postoperatively.


RESULTS
The incidence of vomiting was higher in the control group in the first 2 h postoperatively (P < 0.001), compared with the other groups. There was no statistically significant difference between acupuncture and metoclopramide groups in occurrence and timing of vomiting (P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Laser acupuncture is equally effective as metoclopramide in preventing PONV in children.
Butkovic
Diana
D
Department of Anesthesiology, Reanimatology and Intensive Care, Children's Hospital Zagreb, Zagreb 10 000, Croatia. diana.butkovic1@zg.htnet.hr
Toljan
Sanja
S
Matolic
Martina
M
Kralik
Sandra
S
Radesić
Ljerka
L
D026881:Acupuncture; D000293:Adolescent; D000769:Anesthesia, Inhalation; D000932:Antiemetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002944:Circumcision, Male; D005260:Female; D059685:Herniorrhaphy; D006801:Humans; D007834:Lasers; D008297:Male; D008787:Metoclopramide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020250:Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013737:Testis / Q000601:surgery
D000932:Antiemetics; D008787:Metoclopramide