Postoperative nausea and vomiting in bariatric surgery: a position statement endorsed by the ASMBS and the ISPCOP.

Abstract

Despite extensive research regarding risk factors and treatment regimens, postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) has remained a challenge affecting up to 40% of the general surgical population, underlining the complex nature of this adverse outcome [1]. In addition to the criteria described by Apfel et al. [1], contributing risk factors may be anesthesia, patient, or procedure related. Compared with the general surgical population, patients undergoing bariatric surgical procedures experience a much higher incidence of PONV, and current enhanced recovery after bariatric surgery (ERABS) guidelines suggest intraoperative prophylaxis but provide little guidance for postoperatively administered prophylaxis or treatment [2].