The incidence and factors associated with intraoperative nausea and vomiting during cesarean section under spinal anesthesia, July 2019. An institution based cross sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundNausea and vomiting is vested in two separate units in the medulla, the chemo receptor trigger zone and the vomiting center. Intra-operative nausea and vomiting during spinal anesthesia for caesarean section are very common and unpleasant event with an incidence of up to 80%. It causes significant distress to the patient and also interferes with the surgical procedure. ObjectiveThe study was conducted to assess the incidence and associated factors of intra-operative nausea and vomiting during caesarean section under spinal anesthesia. MethodObservational study was conducted from March 20th to May30th 2019 on 373 pregnant mothers who delivered with caesarean section under spinal anesthesia. Statistical analysis was performed using statistical package for social science version 20. The Odds ratios and 95% confidence interval, bivariate and multivariate binary logistic regressions were used to assess the association between dependent and independent variables. ResultAmong 384 eligible participants, 373 women were involved in the study with the response rate of 97.14%. Out of the total respondents, 152 (40.8%) of them experienced intra-operative nausea and vomiting and 69 (18.5%) of them experienced both nausea and vomiting. Hypotension (AOR = 3.949, 95% CI = 2.098–7.432), intra-operative pain (AOR = 6.152, 95% CI = 2.970–12.745), body mass index >35 kg/m2 (AOR = 4.491, 95% CI = 1.010–19.962) and high risk pregnancy (AOR = 2.222 95% CI = 1.006–4.910) were significantly associated with the occurrence of intraoperative nausea and vomiting. ConclusionThe incidence of intra-operative nausea and vomiting was 18.5%. This is a significant intraoperative morbidity that shouldn't be overlooked and needs appropriate intervention according to institutional protocols.