Incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting in patients at a university hospital. Where are we today?
OBJECTIVE
To determine the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), identify risk factors, assess treatment and its effectiveness.


METHODS
A prospective, observational, questionnaire- and interview-based study.


METHODS
Standard and intensive care units of the following university hospital departments: abdominal, thoracic and vascular surgery; gynecology; plastic and esthetic surgery; urology; and traumatology.


METHODS
Adult patients scheduled for elective surgery who gave informed consent were enrolled. A questionnaire-based study was performed on the first postoperative day. The collected data relevant to PONV were statistically analyzed.


CONCLUSIONS
The incidence of PONV was significantly lower than generally presumed and was related to the patient gender, type of surgery and overall health status. PONV was more frequent in obese patients and when drugs antagonizing opioids or muscle relaxants were used. Early administration of antiemetic agents led to considerably less discomfort.
Doubravska
Lenka
L
Department of Anesthesiology and Resuscitation, University Hospital Olomouc and Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University Olomouc, Czech Republic.
Dostalova
Katerina
K
Fritscherova
Sarka
S
Zapletalova
Jana
J
Adamus
Milan
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020250:Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult