[Supplemental oxygen and the incidence of perioperative nausea and vomiting in cesarean sections under subarachnoid block].
OBJECTIVE
Supplemental oxygen can reduce the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting in patients under general anesthesia. The objective of the present study was to determine the efficacy of supplemental oxygen to reduce the incidence of perioperative nausea and vomiting in elective cesareans under subarachnoid block.


METHODS
After induction of standardized subarachnoid block, 94 parturients undergoing surgical delivery were randomly divided to receive 4 L.min-1 of oxygen (Group O) or medical air (Group S) under nasal cannula throughout the procedure. Patients were questioned on the development of nausea and vomiting during the surgery and in the first six and 24 hours after the procedure.


RESULTS
Demographic and perioperative parameters, as well as the data on the newborn, were comparable in both groups. In Group O, the incidence of nausea during the surgery, in the first 6 hours afterwards, and between 6 and 24 hours was 35%, 30%, and 19%, respectively, while in Group S, it was 35%, 30%, and 19%, respectively. In Group O, the incidence of vomiting was 9%, 11% and 6% in the corresponding periods, and in Group S, 21%, 7% and 7%, respectively. Those differences were not statistically significant.


CONCLUSIONS
The administration of supplemental oxygen from anesthetic induction until the end of the surgery did not reduce the incidence of intra- and postoperative nausea or vomiting in women undergoing cesarean section under subarachnoid block.
Pécora
Fernanda Salomão Turazzi
FS
Serviço de Anestesia, Instituto da Criança, HC, FMUSP. fsturazzi@yahoo.com.br
Malbouisson
Luiz Marcelo Sá
LM
Torres
Marcelo Luis Abramides
ML
D000328:Adult; D000773:Anesthesia, Obstetrical / Q000379:methods; D002585:Cesarean Section; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D010100:Oxygen / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020250:Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011247:Pregnancy; D013346:Subarachnoid Space
D010100:Oxygen