A comparison between intravenous ondansetron and granisetron in the preventive management of postoperative nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing cesarean section under spinal anesthesia

Abstract

Background: Efforts are still conducted to reduce side effects of anesthesia, such as postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). This study was performed to compare the effectiveness of prophylactic use of intravenous Ondansetron (4 mg) and Granisetron (2 mg) in the preventive management of postoperative nausea and vomiting in women undergoing elective lower (uterine) segment cesarean section (LSCS). Patients and Methods: A total of 100 patients belonging to the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Grade I and II posted for elective LSCS were included in the study. 100 patients were further divided into two groups (n = 50), i.e., Group O (ondansetron) and Group G (granisetron). This study was conducted from November 2017 to August 2019 on 100 ASA I and ASA II patients, aged from 18 to 35 years who underwent elective LSCS under the subarachnoid block. Results: Both drugs Ondansetron and Granisetron showed prevention of PONV (Granisetron showed 80% response and Ondansetron showed 44% response). Both drugs have shown promising results for a shorter duration in postoperative care but Ondansetron showed a higher number of PONV incidences than Granisetron in long duration. Conclusion: Granisetron is effective than Ondansetron in preventing nausea and vomiting in the late postoperative period with fewer side effects.