Articles: nausea.
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Although the aetiology of postoperative nausea and vomiting is not completely clear, a number of key contributing factors increase the risk for an individual patient. The inhalational agents are variably associated with postoperative nausea and vomiting, and nitrous oxide is particularly emetogenic. Older inhalational anaesthetics, such as cyclopropane, are associated with a high incidence, while the currently used agents, isoflurane, enflurane and halothane, cause less, but still significant postoperative nausea and vomiting. ⋯ Furthermore, a previous history of postoperative nausea and vomiting or motion sickness is a known risk factor. Superimposed on this is the type of surgery--abdominal and gynaecological surgery are particularly emetogenic, and the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting following strabismus surgery is high. Increased quality of healthcare, and a growing awareness of the importance of patient satisfaction, are providing new incentives to ensure that postoperative nausea and vomiting is dealt with adequately.
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Postoperative nausea and vomiting is one of the most common complications of inpatient and day case surgical procedures. In a climate where total cost of an illness is becoming increasingly important, postoperative nausea and vomiting is a major contributor to direct and indirect costs for both the hospital and patient. ⋯ Postoperative nausea and vomiting is perceived by patients to account for equal or more debilitation than surgery itself and may cause them to lose wages due to absence from work. Reducing the incidence of nausea and vomiting and its associated problems may therefore provide opportunities to improve patient care, decrease the size of waiting lists and improve utilisation of scarce healthcare resources.
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We collected data on postoperative nausea and vomiting from 3850 patients aged 11-91 years. Thirty-seven percent of the 3244 patients who received a general anaesthetic reported nausea and 23.2% vomited. Twenty percent of the 606 patients who received a local anaesthetic reported nausea and 11.4% vomited. ⋯ Anxiety before general, but not local, anaesthesia was associated with postoperative nausea (p < 0.001) but not vomiting. Patients from the gynaecological, orthopaedic, ENT and general surgical wards had higher incidences of postoperative nausea and vomiting. Linear visual analogue pain scores were higher in patients with postoperative nausea and vomiting in both general and local anaesthesia groups (p < 0.001).
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Total intravenous anaesthesia using propofol is indicated in the following cases: patients with a previous history of postoperative nausea or vomiting; surgery of the middle ear; gynaecological procedures involving laparotomy; ENT and squint surgery in children. Up to now, the relationship between the clinical benefit (less incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting) and intrinsec anti-emetic properties of propofol is not included in the regulatory labelling.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Antiemetic efficacy of prophylactic ondansetron in laparoscopic surgery: randomized, double-blind comparison with metoclopramide.
In a randomized, double-blind study, we have compared the prophylactic antiemetic efficacy of ondansetron with that of metoclopramide in 123 patients undergoing general anaesthesia for day-case gynaecological laparoscopic surgery. The patients received either i.v. ondansetron 4 mg or metoclopramide 10 mg immediately before a standard anaesthetic. ⋯ In those patients with a previous history of postoperative nausea and vomiting, nausea was less severe in those receiving ondansetron compared with those receiving metoclopramide (P < 0.05). We conclude that preoperative prophylactic administration of i.v. ondansetron was superior to metoclopramide in preventing nausea and vomiting after general anaesthesia for day-case gynaecological laparoscopic surgery.