title: Efficacy of palonosetron for the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of palonosetron, the latest 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, for the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) during the first 72 h after operation.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study, 204 healthy inpatients who were undergoing elective surgery with general anaesthesia were enrolled. Patients were divided into two groups: the palonosetron group (palonosetron 0.075 mg i.v.; n=102) and the placebo group (normal saline i.v.; n=102). The treatments were given after the induction of anaesthesia. The incidence of nausea, vomiting, severity of nausea, and the use of rescue anti-emetics during the first 72 h after surgery were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The incidence of PONV was lower in the palonosetron group compared with the placebo group during the 0-24 h (33% vs 47%) and 0-72 h period (33% vs 52%) (P<0.05), but not during the 24-72 h postoperative period (6% vs 11%). The incidence of nausea was also significantly lower in the palonosetron group than in the placebo group during the 0-24 and 0-72 h period (P<0.05), but not during the 24-72 h postoperative period. However, there were no significant differences in the incidence of vomiting, and the use of rescue anti-emetics between the groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Palonosetron 0.075 mg i.v. effectively reduced the incidence of PONV during the first 72 h after operation, with most of the reduction occurring in the first 24 h.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Hospital Seoul, 657, Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: H R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Chun
authors.forename: I S
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Jeon
authors.forename: S Y
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: S I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000932:Antiemetics / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007546:Isoquinolines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000077924:Palonosetron; D020250:Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011812:Quinuclidines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D018401:Sample Size; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000932:Antiemetics; D007546:Isoquinolines; D011812:Quinuclidines; D000077924:Palonosetron
keywords: anti-emetics; palonosetron; postoperative nausea and vomiting