Antiemetic efficacy of prophylactic ondansetron in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

• Published in: Anaesthesia Vol. 51; no. 1; p. 52
• Main Authors: Koivuranta, M K, Läärä, E, Ryhänen, P T
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01-01-1996
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Analgesics, Opioid - therapeutic use; Antiemetics - therapeutic use; Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic; Double-Blind Method; Droperidol - therapeutic use; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Nausea - prevention & control; Ondansetron - therapeutic use; Oxycodone - therapeutic use; Premedication; Vomiting - prevention & control
• ISSN: 0003-2409
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2044.1996.tb07654.x

The antiemetic efficacy of ondansetron given prophylactically was investigated in a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 63 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The patients received intravenously prior to anaesthesia either ondansetron 4 mg or placebo. The same standardised general anaesthetic technique was used. Nausea, emetic episodes and the need for rescue medication were recorded for 24 h postoperatively. Nausea was experienced by 64% of the patients in the ondansetron group and 56% in the placebo group, and emetic episodes occurred in 45% and 50% of the patients in the two groups, respectively. The proportions of patients given rescue antiemetic medication were 45% and 44%, respectively. No clinically important adverse events were observed. In conclusion, ondansetron given prior to anaesthesia in a dosage of 4 mg did not prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.