Risk factors for postoperative nausea and vomiting after general anesthesia and establishment of predictive model

Abstract

Objective To investigate the incidence of and risk factors for postoperative nausea and vomiting （PONV） after general anesthesia and pick out patients at high risk of PONV. Methods Patients undergoing stomatological, otorhinolaryngological, esophageal, pulmonary, orthopedic, general and gynecological surgery under general anesthesia from August 2008 to September 2008 in our hospital were included in this study. The clinical data about the patients who developed PONV were collected. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed with chi-spuare test and logistic stepwise regression analysis to pick out the potential risk factors for PONV. Predictive models were established and their efficacy was assessed with receptor operating curve. Results A total of 350 patients were retrospectively studied. The incidences of postoperative nausea and vomiting were 36.6% and 22.3% respectively. Statistical analysis showed that the risk factors for PONV included female, history of PONV, motion sickness and migraine, and gynecological or laparoscopic operation. Predictive models were established based on the number of risk factors and coefficients in logistic regression analysis and the areas under curve were 0.749 ± 0.027 and 0. 755 ±0. 027 respectively. Conclusion The risk factors for PONV include female, history of PONV, motion sickness and migraine, and gynecological or laparoscopic operation. The incidence of PONV is fairly high after general surgery and could be predicted from the risk factors. Key words: Postoperative nausea and vomiting; Risk factors