English

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is commonly seen after abdominal surgery. In this randomized double blinded prospective clinical study, we investigated and compared the efficacy of palonosetron and granisetron to prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting after open cholecystectomy. PATIENTS & METHODS: Hundred female patients (20-65 years of age) undergoing open cholecystectomy were randomly allocated one of the two groups containing 50 patients each. Group A received Granisetron 45 g/kg body weight intravenously as a bolus before induction of anaesthesia. Group B received Palonosetron 1.5 g/kg body weight intravenously as a bolus before induction. RESULTS: Palonosetron during 25-48 hour post-operative period significantly reduced the incidence of nausea 6 (12%) and vomiting 3 (6%) as compared to Granisetron group where 15 (30%) patients had nausea and 10 (20%) had vomiting. Complete response (no PONV, no rescue medication) was significantly higher in patients who received Palonosetron 45 (90%) as compared to Granisetron 37 (74%) (p<0.05).Statistical analysis of the observations done between the treatment groups were performed by using unpaired student ‘t’ test and chi square ‘X2’ test. CONCLUSION: Prophylactic therapy with Palonosetron is more effective than Granisetron for long term prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting after open cholecystectomy.