title: Evaluation of the ability of continuous palonosetron infusion, using a patient-controlled analgesia device, to reduce postoperative nausea and vomiting.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The efficacy of palonosetron in preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), as well as chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, has already been demonstrated in multiple clinical studies. The purpose of this study was to determine whether continuous infusion of palonosetron following single injection could reduce PONV to a greater extent than single injection only of palonosetron.
  
  
  METHODS
  In total, 132 women were enrolled in the study. All subjects were over the age of 20 years and were scheduled to undergo gynecologic laparoscopic surgery. Patients were randomly allocated into two groups. In both groups, patients received 0.075 mg of palonosetron intravenously, immediately before induction of anesthesia. In the continuous palonosetron infusion group, 0.075 mg (1.5 ml) of palonosetron was added to the patient-controlled analgesia device. In the single-injection palonosetron group, 1.5 ml of normal saline was added.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The incidence of PONV 24 hours postoperatively was significantly lower in the continuous palonosetron infusion group than the single-injection palonosetron group (31.8 vs. 56.1%, P = 0.009).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Continuous palonosetron infusion, following single injection, reduces the incidence of PONV compared with single injection only.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, Incheon, Korea.
authors.forename: Ji Won
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, International St. Mary's Hospital, Incheon, Korea.
authors.forename: Soo Kyoung
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Park
keywords: Palonosetron; Patient-controlled analgesia; Postoperative nausea and vomiting