Transdermal scopolamine patch in addition to ondansetron for postoperative nausea and vomiting prophylaxis in patients undergoing ambulatory cosmetic surgery.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the efficacy of transdermal scopolamine in addition to ondansetron in decreasing the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV).


METHODS
Randomized controlled trial.


METHODS
Academic hospital.


METHODS
126 ASA physical status I and II patients undergoing outpatient plastic surgery with three or more risk factors for PONV.


METHODS
Patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups to receive (Group 1) a transdermal scopolamine (TDS) patch or (Group 2), a placebo patch two hours before surgery.


METHODS
Occurrence of vomiting, severity of nausea using a visual analog scale (VAS), rescue medication, pain intensity and pain medications, and side effects were recorded every hour until discharge from hospital, then every 4 hours thereafter for a total of 24 hours.


RESULTS
A statistically significant reduction in postoperative nausea between 8 and 24 hours in patients receiving TDS was noted.


CONCLUSIONS
Transdermal scopolamine in addition to ondansetron benefits patients at high risk for PONV undergoing outpatient plastic surgery for up to 20 hours after surgery.
Sah
Neera
N
Department of Anesthesiology, Magee Womens Hospital and the University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. sahxnb@anes.upmc.edu
Ramesh
Vimala
V
Kaul
Bupesh
B
Dalby
Patricia
P
Shestak
Kenneth
K
Vallejo
Manuel C
MC
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000328:Adult; D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects; D000932:Antiemetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017294:Ondansetron / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D020250:Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012601:Scopolamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013518:Surgery, Plastic / Q000009:adverse effects; D013997:Time Factors
D000932:Antiemetics; D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists; D017294:Ondansetron; D012601:Scopolamine