title: [Control of postoperative nausea and vomiting by preventive administration of dexamethasone].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) are the most frequent side effects after anesthesia. Patients with persistent PONV continue to be impaired in performing their normal daily activities. We studied the controlling effect of dexamethasone (4 mg) before the induction of general anesthesia in the prevention of PONV.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety-one patients were divided into respiratory surgery group (dexamethasone N=22, none N=23) and gynecology group (dexamethasone N=22, none N=24), respectively. Dexamethasone group received dexamethasone 4 mg before the induction of general anesthesia. PONV and antiemetic requirements were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the dexamethasone group (respiratory surgery, gynecology), the incidences of PONV during the initial 24 hour postoperative period were 36.4% (N=8), and 18.2% (N=4), respectively. In the none group, the incidences were 43.5% (N=10), and 41.7% (N=10), respectively Antiemetic requirements were 22.7% (N=5), 9.1% (N=2), 39.1% (N=9), and 20.1% (N=5), respectively (NS). In gynecology group, in almost all the patients droperidol was used in epidural anesthesia. Combination of dexamethasone and droperidol may have greater antiemetic action than a single drug.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Combination therapy with dexamethasone and droperidol may reduce PONV in patients undergoing surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Beppu Medical Center, Beppu 874-0011.
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Etoh
authors.forename: Satoko
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Koga
authors.forename: Satoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kawabe
authors.forename: Kazushige
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ohishi
authors.forename: Takahiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Uno
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000767:Anesthesia, Epidural; D000768:Anesthesia, General; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004329:Droperidol / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020250:Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011300:Preoperative Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D003907:Dexamethasone; D004329:Droperidol