High Risk For Postoperative Nausea And Vomiting Research Articles

Preventive Effect of Pretreatment with Intravenous Metoclopramide on Incidence of Post Laparoscopic Surgery Nausea and Vomiting

Introduction: Common complications following anesthesia include Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), which leads to patient dissatisfaction and discomfort. The incidence of PONV after inhalational general anesthesia is up to 30% [1]. When anesthetics are used with no prophylaxis, and in certain high-risk patients, the incidence of PONV can reach up to 70% [2]. Furthermore, laparoscopic surgeries are associated with an even higher incidence of PONV (40%-75%) [3]. This makes PONV one of the most prevalent post-operational complaints [4].Methods: This case control study includes 79 patients with high PONV risk scores scheduled for laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anesthesia in Duhok hospitals. 40 patients received 8 mg (2ml) metoclopramide intravenously as pretreatment, while 39 patients received normal saline (2ml) as the control group. After 48 hours, we called patients and asked them about the incidence and severity of PONV.Result: statically insignificant differences in the incidence of PONV between both groups (p-value 0.91). The incidence of PONV in this study was (27.8%) which correlates with the PONV risk score mean (2.48) and was statistically significant with a p-value of less than 0.01 and a 95% confidence score (2.13, 18.32).Conclusion: PONV risk score is effective in the prediction of the incidence of PONV, and Metoclopramide is ineffective as a single drug in the prevention of PONV in high-risk patients.

Laparoskopik Kolesistektomi Sonrası Bulantı ve Kusmanın Önlenmesinde Deksametazon ve Gabapentinin Etkinliği ve Karşılaştırılması

Objective: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is a common postoperative complication. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of gabapentin and dexamethasone as new treatment strategies in the treatment of PONV. Methods: This retrospective study included a total of 136 ASA I-II patients aged 18-70 years who underwent elective cholecystectomy. Group D (n=66) received 4 mg intravenously dexamethasone after anesthesia induction and Group G (n=70) received 600 mg gabapentin oral treatment. Standard DII and V5 lead ECG, automatic non-invasive blood pressure and peripheral oxygen saturation monitoring was applied to all patients in the general operating room, anesthesia maintenance was provided with total intravenous anesthesia after orotracheal intubation and at the end of surgery, patients were transferred to the postoperative care unit. Nausea and vomiting symptoms, pain scores and the time and dose of additional antiemetic/analgesic requirements in the first 24 hours were monitored. Results: There were no statistically significant demographic differences between the groups and the results showed that both dexamethasone and gabapentin were effective in preventing PONV. The need for rescue antiemetic therapy was similar in both groups (p=0.2). Significantly less postoperative analgesic was required in the gabapentin group than in the dexamethasone group. Conclusion: Antiemetic drug prophylaxis should be administered to patients at high risk of PONV and treatment with different groups of antiemetic drugs should be considered. Dexamethasone and gabapentin can be considered effective drugs for the prevention of PONV. Keywords: Postoperative nausea and vomiting, dexamethasone, gabapentin, laparoscopic surgery, laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Is the reduced risk of post-operative nausea and vomiting in low flow anesthesia applications associated with pre-operative neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio values?

Background/Aim: Post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV) are defined as nausea and/or vomiting occurring within the first 24 h after surgery and are often observed in the first 2 h after surgery. Only a few previous studies on the use of low fresh gas flow that reduces inhaler agent consumption in laparoscopic cholecystectomy patients at high risk of PONV have been published. Our study aimed to determine the incidence of PONV in the first 30 min and again at 24 h in cases of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in which we applied low fresh gas flow (1 L/min). In addition, we wanted to predict whether the pre-operative neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) ≥2 is a risk factor for PONV in our patients to whom we applied low fresh gas flow. Methods: For our prospective cohort study, 80 cases between the ages of 18 and 65, had American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) scores of I and II, and who had been scheduled to undergo elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy were included in the study. The NLR limit (calculated by dividing the neutrophil count obtained from the complete blood count before surgery by the lymphocyte count) calculated in the pre-operative period after a patient’s informed consent was obtained was accepted as 2 [5]. Patients were classified into two groups: (1) NLR-I with NLR <2 and (2) NLR-II with NLR ≥2. Premedication was not used in either group. Results: A total of 80 patients were included in the study. They were divided into two groups for classification purposes: (1) NLR-I (n=40) and (2) NLR-II (n=40). The characteristics of the patients in both groups, such as gender distribution, ASA scores, smoking status, mean age, and body mass index (BMI) values, were not different. Sevoflurane consumption in the groups was similar (P=0.169). The time required to complete surgery was longer in the NLR-II group (P=0.025). Nausea/vomiting and antiemetic use were similar in the NLR-I and NLR-II groups in which low fresh gas flow was applied in the first 30 min and 24 h (P=0.500). Although nausea/vomiting was more common in the female and non-smoking group in the first 30 min and 24 h, it was not statistically significantly different from males and smoking groups (P=0.325). However, nausea/vomiting was more common and significantly different in the ASA II versus the ASA I group (P=0.046). The time required to complete surgery was longer, and sevoflurane consumption was higher in patients with nausea and vomiting (P=0.001). Conclusions: Pre-operative NLR as classified by the two groups was not associated with an increase in the risk of PONV in patients to whom we applied low fresh gas flow. A decrease in sevoflurane consumption due to low fresh gas flow may lead to a reduction in the risk of PONV in at-risk patients.

Implementation of Acupressure as Adjunct Therapy to Reduce Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting

<h3>Background Information</h3> Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is a common surgical issue that can result in complications such as, electrolyte imbalance, dehydration, pulmonary aspiration, and wound dehiscence. Additionally, PONV can delay hospital discharge, subsequently affecting hospital costs. Substantial research suggests that utilizing a multimodal approach combining prophylactic pharmacologic antiemetics with non-pharmacological therapies can reduce PONV, therefore decreasing the need to utilize multiple doses of rescue antiemetic therapy. Studies have also demonstrated that acupressure can shorten the time from extubation to "ready for discharge" from PACU. Acupressure can produce additive effects with minimal side effects and without potential for adverse drug reactions. <h3>Objectives of Project</h3> The objectives of the project include: (1) Provide education to nursing staff regarding the benefits of acupressure therapy for patients; (2) Educate nurses on the application of acupressure (3) Reduce patient's nausea by adding acupressure into treatment regimen <h3>Process of Implementation</h3> Six perioperative nurses designated as super-users, were instructed by a licensed acupressure provider on the utilization of acupressure for postoperative nausea and vomiting. Instruction was provided on the application of stimulation to specific points or defined pathways on the body (acupressure) that can relieve nausea. Educational sessions with the licensed acupressure provider were comprised of Zoom interactive web sessions, live in-person training, and evaluation of technique at patient bedside. Once deemed competent, the super-users provided acupressure for ambulatory PACU patients who were identified as being at high risk for PONV or for patients who were reported to be experiencing PONV. Super-users assessed severity of nausea before and after the implementation of acupressure to determine effectiveness by using the Edmonton scale. <h3>Statement of Successful Practice</h3> 45 out of 48 patients who received acupressure stated that "they felt less nauseous after acupressure". The evaluation of their Edmonton scores indicated that acupressure, along with nausea medications, reduced PONV. <h3>Implications for Advancing the Practice of Perianesthesia Nursing</h3> Acupressure is a non-invasive nursing intervention that provides a non-pharmacologic alternative in the treatment of PONV. Application of acupressure could be incorporated into new-hire orientation for perianesthesia nurses, in education for the treatment of PONV. Utilization of acupressure could decrease the use of pharmacologic therapy, reduce the postoperative complications, and ultimately improve patient outcomes.

Therapeutic Suggestions During General Anesthesia Reduce Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting in High-Risk Patients - A Post hoc Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) are one of the most adverse events after general anesthesia, a distressing experience, and pose a risk to the patient. Despite advances in drug prophylaxis and PONV treatment, the incidence remains high and additional non-pharmacological treatments are needed. In this post hoc analysis of a recently published double-blind multicenter randomized controlled trial on the efficacy of intraoperative therapeutic suggestions on postoperative opioid dosage, we analyzed the effects of intraoperative therapeutic suggestions on PONV. We focus on patients with a high risk of PONV (Apfel risk score of 3–4) and distinguished early (first two postoperative hours) and delayed PONV (2–24 h). A total of 385 patients with a moderate or high risk for PONV were included. The incidence of early and delayed PONV was reduced (22.7–18.3 and 29.9–24.1%, respectively), without statistical significance, whereas in high-risk patients (n = 180) their incidence was nearly halved, 17.2 vs. 31.2% (p = 0.030) and 20.7 vs. 34.4% (p = 0.040), corresponding to a number needed to treat of 7 to avoid PONV. In addition, there was a significant reduction in PONV severity. In a multivariate logistic regression model, assignment to the control group (OR 2.2; 95% CI: 1.1–4.8) was identified as an independent predictor of the occurrence of early PONV. Our results indicate that intraoperative therapeutic suggestions can significantly reduce the incidence of PONV in high-risk patients. This encourages the expansion of therapeutic suggestions under general anesthesia, which are inexpensive and virtually free of side effects.Clinical Trial Registration: German Clinical Trials Register, https://drks.de, registration number: DRKS00013800.

Preoperative Administration of Aprepitant to Prevent Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting in Children

Background: Aprepitant (Emend ® ), a neurokinin-receptor antagonist, has seen increased use in the treatment of nausea and vomiting in various clinical scenarios. To date, there are limited data regarding its use in the pediatric population. We retrospectively reviewed our experience with aprepitant after its addition to the operating room formulary for prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). Methods: The anesthetic records of patients who received aprepitant were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic, surgical, medication, and efficacy data were retrieved. Results: The study cohort included 144 patients ranging in age from 7 to 17 years and in weight from 24.7 to 208.9 kg. The most common surgical procedures included gastrointestinal surgery, orthopedic surgery, and otolaryngologic procedures. Reasons for the administration of aprepitant included PONV prophylaxis due to risk factors such as type of surgery, duration of surgery, previous history of significant PONV, female gender, and family history of PONV. The majority of the patients (98.6%) received aprepitant in capsule form in a dose of 40 mg (97.9%). Seventeen patients (11.8%) had PONV or received antiemetic agents postoperatively. There were no unplanned admissions related to PONV. No adverse effects related to aprepitant were noted. Conclusions: Aprepitant was effectively introduced to the preoperative regimen as an additional agent for the prevention of PONV. The overall tolerability and efficacy of aprepitant was similar to previous studies, even in a patient population at high risk for PONV. J Curr Surg. 2022;12(1):1-6 doi: https://doi.org/10.14740/jcs457

The effect of timing and dosing of 5% and 10% dextrose versus saline on postoperative nausea and vomiting in high-risk women following ambulatory surgeries: a randomized double-blind controlled trial

A common complication after outpatient surgeries is postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) which is concomitant with high levels of patient distress and dissatisfaction. Perioperative dextrose-containing fluid administration has been used as a non-pharmacologic preventive measure against postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). However, its efficacy remains unclear. This study aimed to compare different concentrations of dextrose solution on PONV for 24 hours after surgery. This is a randomized double-blind controlled study where 120 women were divided into three equal groups. Group C was infused with IV 0.9% saline 100 mL/h for two hours (200 mL) starting one hour before anesthesia and ending during surgery. Group D5%, was infused with dextrose 5%. Group D10%, was infused with D10%. PONV within 24 hours was compared between groups by PONV score. Other outcomes were the antiemetic drugs needed, VAS Score, total fentanyl consumption, hemodynamic data, unplanned admission, and complications. The incidence of nausea and vomiting was significantly reduced in dextrose 10% and 5% patients in comparison to the control group (five patients [12.5%], 18 [42.5%], and 39 [87.5%] respectively). The request for antiemetic drugs decreased significantly in groups D10% and 5% than in group C (36 [90%], 29 [72.5%] and 19 [47.5%] patients did not receive any antiemetics, P=0.002). Postoperative pain prevalence in patients with PONV was significantly different only at 24 h, P=0.03. There was a potential role for preoperative IV infusion of dextrose 10% solution that significantly reduces the incidence and severity of PONV and pain in patients at high risk for PONV.

Factors Associated with Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting after Breast Cancer Surgery with Inhalation Anesthesia.

The incidence and risk factors of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) and early PONV (ePONV) were evaluated in patients who underwent breast surgery with volatile anesthesia. In this retrospective study, multivariate logistic regression was used to determine incidence and identify risk factors for PONV. Among 928 patients, 166 (18%) and 220 (24%) had ePONV and PONV, respectively. In multivariate analysis, anesthesia duration and use of desflurane were independent risk factors for ePONV. For PONV, anesthesia duration and Apfel score were independent risk factors. Our results indicate that desflurane was the main cause of ePONV. However, during the delayed phase, a higher Apfel score was the strongest predictor. In the early and delayed phases, long anesthesia duration was associated with high risk of PONV. Thus, prolonged anesthesia and desflurane use should be avoided for patients at high risk of PONV, particularly those with high Apfel scores.

Management of postoperative nausea and vomiting in adults: current controversies.

Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) continue to plague the surgical patient population with an adverse impact on postoperative outcomes. The aim of this review is to critically assess current evidence for PONV management, including studies evaluating baseline risk reduction and antiemetic prophylaxis, to provide a pragmatic approach to prevention and treatment of PONV in routine clinical practice. Multiple recent reviews and guidelines have been published on this topic with some limitations. In the current ERAS era, all patients irrespective of their PONV risk should receive two to three antiemetics for prophylaxis. Patients at a high risk of PONV [i.e. prior history of PONV, history of motion sickness, high opioid requirements after surgery (e.g. inability to use nonopioid analgesic techniques)] should receive three to four antiemetics for prophylaxis. This review provides a practical approach to PONV prevention based on recent literature.

Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting in Pediatric Patients.

Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), postoperative vomiting (POV), post-discharge nausea and vomiting (PDNV), and opioid-induced nausea and vomiting (OINV) continue to be causes of pediatric morbidity, delay in discharge, and unplanned hospital admission. Research on the pathophysiology, risk assessment, and therapy for PDNV, OINV and pain therapy options in children has received increased attention. Multimodal pain management with the use of perioperative regional and opioid-sparing analgesia has helped decrease nausea and vomiting. Two common emetogenic surgical procedures in children are adenotonsillectomy and strabismus repair. Although PONV risk factors differ between adults and children, the approach to decrease baseline risk is similar. As PONV and POV are frequent in children, antiemetic prophylaxis should be considered for those at risk. A multimodal approach for antiemetic and pain therapy involves preoperative risk evaluation and stratification, antiemetic prophylaxis, and pain management with opioid-sparing medications and regional anesthesia. Useful antiemetics include dexamethasone and serotonin 5-hydroxytryptamine-3 (5-HT3) receptor antagonists such as ondansetron. Multimodal combination prophylactic therapy using two or three antiemetics from different drug classes and propofol total intravenous anesthesia should be considered for children at high PONV risk. "Enhanced recovery after surgery" protocols include a multimodal approach with preoperative preparation, adequate intravenous fluid hydration, opioid-sparing analgesia, and prophylactic antiemetics. PONV guidelines and management algorithms help provide effective postoperative care for pediatric patients.

Using patient self-checklist to improve the documentation of risk of postoperative nausea and vomiting: an implementation project.

Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is a common surgical complication, affecting 30-50% of patients and 80% in high risk populations. Successful prevention and management of PONV relies on accurately assessing individual risk prior to surgery. A valid and reliable Apfel score is commonly used to assess patients' risk. It is however challenging to translate this evidence into clinical practice. This evidence-based project aimed to identify the current practice of assessing and documenting the risk factors of PONV prior to surgery, and to develop strategies to improve the practice. The project had three phrases, including forming a team and conducting the baseline audit; identifying problems and developing strategies; and conducting a follow-up tool to assess the impact on compliance with best practice. A research team was formed. A baseline audit was conducted at a public hospital in Victoria in June 2016 to examine PONV risk assessment practice through checking medical files of surgical patients. A getting research into practice audit and feedback tool was used to identify barriers, implementation strategies, stakeholders and resources. After implementation, a second audit was conducted between June and October 2017. Audit criteria were based on a reliable and valid Apfel score. At baseline, accurate PONV risk could only be calculated from 8% of patient files with no file formally recording the risk factors. The proportion of patients with three risk factors preoperatively, indicating high PONV risk, was 5.3%. Barriers identified were the perceived lack of necessity to record the risk, time constraint and too much paperwork. A self-checklist for risk assessment was developed to enable patients to check their own level of risk. Its face validity, construct validity and accuracy were examined. The checklist was then implemented for patients to complete prior to surgery. A number of strategies were used to improve the implementation. The second audit of 1308 files showed that at the end of audit period, 74% of patients had risk assessment conducted and documented postimplementation. 16.8% of the patients were identified as having high PONV risk, nearly triple the number identified at baseline. A simple self-checklist of PONV risk was implemented. It greatly improved PONV risk assessment and documentation in a public hospital in Australia and enabled the identification of patients at high risk.

Postoperative nausea and vomiting in scoliosis children and its influencing factors

Objective To investigate the postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in scoliosis children and to explore its influencing factors so as to provide a basis for clinical nursing intervention. Methods From June 2017 to December 2018, we selected 417 scoliosis children with orthopedic surgery in Orthopedics Department at Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College Hospital by convenience sampling. The incidence of PONV, general information, disease data and surgery were collected and Logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of PONV in children undergoing scoliosis orthopedic surgery. Results There were 282 (67.63%) children with PONV within 24 hours after surgery including 221 cases in the early stage and 61 in the late stage. Simple correlation showed that there were statistical differences in the incidence of PONV within 24 hours among children with different ages, types of scoliosis, history of PONV or motion sickness of children, improvement rate of scoliosis correction, using of patient-controlled analgesia, fasting time before surgery, surgery time and hemoglobin of children (P<0.05) . Logistic regression showed that the influencing factors of PONV of children included surgery time, ages, improvement rate of scoliosis correction, hemoglobin, fasting time, history of PONV or motion sickness with statistical differences (P<0.05) . Conclusions Children after scoliosis correction have the high incidence rate of PONV. Nurses should fully assess the risk of PONV in children with the scientific evaluation methods to reduce the fasting time before surgery of children. Nurses should pay more attention to children with high risk of PONV and take measures to reduce and avoid the occurrence of PONV. Key words: Child; Scoliosis; Orthopedic surgery; Postoperative nausea and vomiting; Risk assessment; Influencing factors

Palonosetron versus ondansetron for prevention of nausea and vomiting after total abdominal hysterectomy under spinal anesthesia with intrathecal morphine: a double-blind, randomized controlled trial

BackgroundHysterectomy is a widely performed surgery and neuraxial anesthesia with intrathecal morphine provides superior quality of recovery. Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is a frequent problem with intrathecal morphine use. Although palonosetron is effective for prevention of PONV after general anesthesia, its efficacy after neuraxial anesthesia has not been established. This study was conducted to compare the use of palonosetron with ondansetron for PONV prophylaxis in patients at a high risk of PONV during total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH) under spinal anesthesia with intrathecal morphine.MethodsThis prospective, randomized double-blind study conducted at São Rafael Hospital involved 140 American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I or II women who underwent TAH under spinal anesthesia with intrathecal morphine and who had at least 3 risk factors for PONV based on Apfel’s simplified score. The patients were randomized into two groups: one received palonosetron whereas the other received ondansetron. All patients received spinal anesthesia with intrathecal morphine, as well as dexamethasone plus palonosetron or ondansetron for PONV prophylaxis. The overall incidence of PONV, incidence of early- and late-onset nausea and vomiting, severity of nausea, and use of rescue antiemetics were recorded.ResultsThe overall incidence of PONV was 42.9% in the palonosetron group and 52.9% in the ondansetron group (p > 0.05). No significant differences existed in the incidence of early- and late-onset nausea or early-onset vomiting between the two groups. The incidence of late-onset vomiting was significantly lower in the palonosetron group.ConclusionsPalonosetron exhibited efficacy similar to that of ondansetron for reducing the overall incidence of PONV after TAH under spinal anesthesia with intrathecal morphine; however, palonosetron reduced the incidence of late-onset vomiting significantly better than ondansetron.Trial registrationRBR-4gnm8n (ensaiosclinicos.gov.br), date of registration: August 18, 2014.

Minimum Effective dose of Dexamethasone in Combination with Midazolam as Prophylaxis against Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting after Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy.

Background:Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) affects 20% and 30% of patients. As many as 60%–80% patients at high risk may be affected. Dexamethasone (D) and midazolam (M) are well studied as antiemetic. Use of D can be associated with certain undesirable side effects so minimum dose is preferred. M is a routinely used premedicant. Hence, this study was designed with both D and M in high risk patients for PONV to find minimum effective dose of D.Aims:To determine the minimum dose of D that combined with M would provide effective prophylaxis of PONV after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in patients at high risk for PONV.Setting and Design:This is a prospective, randomized double-blind trial.Materials and Methods:One hundred and fifty-five patients scheduled for elective LC were randomized to 5 groups of 31 each. Group C was given normal saline, and the rest were administered D 1 mg (group MD1), 2 mg (group MD2), 4 mg (group MD4), or 8 mg (group MD8) in combination with 0.04 mg/kg M at induction. The incidence of nausea, vomiting, severity of nausea, and the use of rescue antiemetic and postoperative pain was analyzed.Statistical Analysis:Chi-square test was used to compare incidence of study variables. Independent Student's t-test was used for continuous variables. Demographic data were compared using ANOVA. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results:The incidence of nausea was significantly lower in group MD4 (29%) and MD8 (6%) compared to placebo group (71%) (P < 0.001) and of vomiting was significantly lower in groups of MD2 (58%), MD4 (48%), and MD8 (6%) compared with placebo (90%) (P < 0.001) at 24 h. There was significant reduction in nausea, pain severity, and incidence of use of rescue antiemetic in MD4 and MD8 groups with no discernable side effects of the drugs.Conclusion:We conclude that 4 mg D with M and 2 mg D with M is effective for prevention of nausea and vomiting, respectively, in patients at high risk for PONV undergoing LC.

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS®) in gynecologic oncology - Practical considerations for program development.

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS®) in gynecologic oncology - Practical considerations for program development.

Predisposing factors for postoperative nausea and vomiting in gynecologic tumor patients.

To evaluate the predictors of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in women with gynecologic tumor. The analysis was based on prospectively collected data of 82 adult patients with gynecologic tumor, who were submitted to open surgical treatment and undergoing general anesthesia. The predictors included were age ≥50years, non-smoker, use of postoperative opioids, mechanical bowel preparation, intraoperative intravenous hydration (IH) ≥10mL/kg/h, and IH in the immediate postoperative, first and second postoperative days (PO1 and PO2) ≥30mL/kg. A score with predictor variables was built. A multiple logistic regression was fitted. To estimate the discriminating power of the chosen model, a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted and the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was calculated. Statistical significance was set at p value <0.05 and the confidence interval at 95%. The incidence (%) of nausea, vomiting and both, in the general population, was 36.6, 28.1, 22.0, respectively. The highest incidences of PONV were found in non-smokers and in patients who received >30mL/kg of IH in the PO2. The results of the adjusted model showed an increased risk of PONV for each 1-point increase in the score punctuation. The relative risk was higher than 2.0 for vomiting in all period and in the PO1. The ROC curve showed great discrimination of postoperative nausea and vomiting from the proposed score (AUC >0.75). The study population was at high risk of PONV. Therefore, institutional guidelines abolishing modificable variables following temporal evaluation of the effectiveness should be undertaken.

Effectiveness of P6 acupoint electrical stimulation in preventing postoperativenausea and vomiting following laparoscopic surgery.

The effects of pericardium 6 (P6) electrical stimulation in patients at risk of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) following laparoscopic surgery were evaluated. Eighty patients for laparoscopic surgery with at least one of the determined risks (nonsmoker, female, previous PONV/motion sickness, or postoperative opioid use) were randomized into either an active or sham group. At the end of surgery, Reletex electrical acustimulation was placed at the P6 acupoint. The active group had grade 3 strength and the sham group had inactivated electrodes covered by silicone. It was worn for 24 h following surgery. PONV scores were recorded. The active group had significantly shorter durations of surgery and lower PONV incidence over 24 h (35.1% versus 64.9%, P = 0.024) and this was attributed to the lower incidence of nausea (31.4% versus 68.6%, P = 0.006). The overall incidence of vomiting was not significantly different between the groups, but it was higher in the sham group of patients with PONV risk score 3 (23.9%, P = 0.049). In patients at high risk for PONV, P6 acupoint electrical stimulation lowers the PONV incidence by reducing the nausea component. However, this reduction in nausea is not related to increasing PONV risk scores.

Intravenous Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol to Prevent Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Evidence suggests that cannabinoids can prevent chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. The use of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) has also been suggested for the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), but evidence is very limited and inconclusive. To evaluate the effectiveness of IV THC in the prevention of PONV, we performed this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial with patient stratification according to the risk of PONV. Our hypothesis was that THC would reduce the relative risk of PONV by 25% compared with placebo. With IRB approval and written informed consent, 40 patients at high risk for PONV received either 0.125 mg/kg IV THC or placebo at the end of surgery before emergence from anesthesia. The primary outcome parameter was PONV during the first 24 hours after emergence. Secondary outcome parameters included early and late nausea, emetic episodes and PONV, and side effects such as sedation or psychotropic alterations. The relative risk reduction of overall PONV in the THC group was 12% (95% confidence interval, -37% to 43%), potentially less than the clinically significant 25% relative risk reduction demonstrated by other drugs used for PONV prophylaxis. Calculation of the effect of treatment group on overall PONV by logistic regression adjusted for anesthesia time gave an odds ratio of 0.97 (95% confidence interval, 0.21 to 4.43, P = 0.97). Psychotropic THC side effects were clinically relevant and mainly consisted of sedation and confusion that were not tampered by the effects of anesthesia. The study was discontinued after 40 patients because of the inefficacy of THC against PONV and the finding of clinically unacceptable side effects that would impede the use of THC in the studied setting. Because of an unacceptable side effect profile and uncertain antiemetic effects, IV THC administered at the end of surgery before emergence from anesthesia cannot be recommended for the prevention of PONV in high-risk patients.

Haloperidol dose combined with dexamethasone for PONV prophylaxis in high-risk patients undergoing gynecological laparoscopic surgery: a prospective, randomized, double-blind, dose-response and placebo-controlled study.

BackgroundLow-dose haloperidol is known to be effective for the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). However, precise dose-response studies have not been completed, especially in patients at high risk for PONV who require combination therapy. This study sought to identify which dose of haloperidol 1mg or 2mg could be combined with dexamethasone without adverse effects in high-risk patients undergoing gynecological laparoscopic surgery.MethodsFemale adults (n = 150) with three established PONV risk factors based on Apfel’s score were randomized into one of three study groups. At the end of anesthesia, groups H0, H1, and H2 were given intravenous (IV) saline, haloperidol 1 mg, and haloperidol 2 mg, respectively. All patients were given dexamethasone 5 mg during the induction of anesthesia. The overall early (0–2 h) and late (2–24 h) incidences of nausea, vomiting, rescue anti-emetic administration, pain, and adverse effects (cardiac arrhythmias and extrapyramidal effects) were assessed postoperatively. The sedation score was recorded in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU).ResultsThe total incidence of PONV over 24 h was significantly lower in groups H1 (29 %) and H2 (24 %) than in group H0 (54 %; P = 0.003), but there was no significant difference between groups H1 and H2. In the PACU, group H2 had a higher sedation score than groups H1 and H0 (P < 0.001).ConclusionsFor high-risk PONV patients undergoing gynecological laparoscopic surgery, when used with dexamethasone, 1-mg haloperidol was equally effective as 2 mg in terms of preventing PONV with the less sedative effect.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01639599).

Validation of the Apfel scoring system for identification of High-risk patients for PONV

Background and Aims: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) still present an important problem in anesthesia. In order to identify surgical patients who may benefit from prophylactic antiemetic medication, it is of interest to evaluate the risk factors for PONV using a simple scoring system. The simplified Apfel score includes four factors: female gender, nonsmoking status, postoperative use of opioids, and previous history of PONV or motion sickness. Each of these risk factors is supposed to elevate the incidence of PONV by about 20%. The aim of this study was to validate Apfel's clinical risk assessment score for identification of patients with high risk for PONV in our hospital. Materials and Methods: In a prospective study, 150 patients posted for various elective surgeries under general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation were analyzed and grouped into five groups, based on the Apfel risk scoring system. Each risk was given a score of 1, the total score being 4. PONV was monitored for 24 h and classified as grades 0, 1, and 2. Grades 1 and 2 were considered as PONV. The results obtained were analyzed for total incidence of PONV in each group of Apfel's scores and they were compared with the predicted incidence of PONV as per the documented Apfel's risk assessment. Collected data were analyzed by the Chi-square test, and the scoring system was assessed for sensitivity and specificity. Results: Of the 150 patients assessed, a total of 42% had PONV. Patients grouped under Apfel Score I had PONV incidence of 25.5%, the group with Score II had an incidence of 37.8%, the group with Score III had 64.6%, and the group with Score IV had 83.3%. This incidence of PONV corresponded to the predicted approximate values of 20% for Apfel Score I, 40% for Apfel II, 60% for Apfel III, and 80% for Apfel IV. Conclusions: The Apfel scoring system is simple and useful for identifying patients with high risk for PONV.