The Prophylaxis and Treatment with Ondansetron for Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting

Abstract

Objective: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is the common complication of patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Aim of this study is to determine the efficacy of ondansetron for PONV after LC and exploring the most effective time of using it. Methods: The clinic data of 120 patients with chronic cholecystitis (selected randomly from all the patients undergone LC at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University between 2012 and 2014) were analyzed retrospectively. The data were divided into three groups: the preoperative group (n=40), postoperative group (n=40) and control group (n=40). The preoperative group received 8 mg of ondansetron intravenously 30 minutes prior to the induction of anesthesia while the postoperative group received 8 mg of ondansetron intravenously when anaesthesia recovery, the control group received no antiemetic. The incidence of PONV and the adverse effects during the postoperative periods (48 hrs) were recorded in the data. If the PONV happened, the patients received 8mg of ondansetron intravenous again. Results: Significant differences were found between the preoperative group and postoperative group (preoperative: 27.5% vs. postoperative group: 10%) and the preoperative group and control group (preoperative: 27.5% vs. control group: 50%). To the PONV case, using ondansetron intravenous again about 88% got control. No clinically important adverse effects were noted. Conclusion: Administration of ondansetron is effective in the prevention and cure of PONV for LC. Late administration (anaesthesia recovery) is significantly more effective.