A comparative clinical study of ondansetron and dexamethasone for prevention of postoperative vomiting in pediatric patients undergoing intra abdominal surgery

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to compare the efficacy of intravenous ondansetron and dexamethasone for prevention of post-operative vomiting in pediatric patients whom underwent intra-abdominal surgery at Indira Gandhi institute of medical sciences, Patna.Methods: A total of 40 eligible patients were included in the study. There were 20 patients in group 1 whom received i.v ondansetron (0.1 mg/kg), and 20 patients in group 2 received i.v Dexamethasone (1mg/kg) one minute prior to the induction of anaesthesia. Episodes of postoperative vomiting within first 24 hours of anaesthesia and thereafter in postoperative ward at different intervals was observed and recorded.Results: Complete control of PONV (no emesis, no rescue treatment for 24 hours after administration of study agent) was achieved in 40% of cases in group I, in 42.25% of cases in group II, mild PONV was achieved in 7.5% of cases in group I, in 5.0% of cases in group II, moderate PONV was achieved in 2.5% of cases in group I, in 2.5% of cases in group II, and severe PONV was not found in any of the two group. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups1and 2 in terms of baseline characteristics and postoperative managements. Frequency of postoperative nausea and vomiting experiences were similar between the groups (p>0.05).Conclusions: Single dose ondansetron 0.1 mg/kg and dexamethasone 0.5 mg/kg, given intravenously are equally effective agents for the control of PONV. Both drugs for the same indication do not seem to increase the antiemetic efficacy.