A Comparison of the Efficacy and Safety of Ondansetron, Droperidol and Ondansetron Plus Droperidol as Antiemetics for Elective Thyroidectomy / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Thyroidectomy has been a surgical procedure associated with a high incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), and conventional antiemetics cannot prevent PONV effectively. In this study, we compared the efficacy and safety of ondansetron 70 microgram/kg, droperidol 10 microgram/kg and combination of both drugs to placebo in the prevention of PONV. METHODS: Seventy-six patients undergoing thyroidectomy were randomized to receive placebo (Group I, n=20), ondansetron 70 microgram/kg (Group II, n=19), droperidol 10 microgram/kg (Group III, n=18) and combination of both drugs (Group IV, n=19). The effects of these regimens on the incidence and severity of PONV and adverse events were analyzed for the 0 to 1 hour and 1 to 24 hours postoperative periods. RESULTS: In the 0 to 1 hour postoperative periods, the incidence of symptom free (no nausea and retching or vomiting) paients were 60% for placebo, 68.4% for ondansetron (p>0.05 versus placebo group), 88.9% for droperidol (p0.05 versus placebo group), 77.8% for droperidol (p0.05 versus placebo group), 77.8% for droperidol (p<0.05 versus placebo and ondansetron group), and 73.7% for combination of both drugs (p<0.05 versus placebo and ondansetron group). Also, there were no significant differences between the droperidol and droperidol plus ondansetron group. Among the side effects associated with antiemetics, headache and dizziness incidence was higher. CONCLUSIONS: Droperidol and combination of ondansetron plus droperidol was superior to placebo, and ondansetron for prevention of PONV during the first 24 hours postoperative period.

Effectiveness of Left Infrascapular Skin Temperature Monitoring in the ICU / 대한구급학회지

BACKGOUND: Many sites are used to measure the body temperature and each site has different physiologic and practical importance. Several types of skin temperature monitoring have been used as simple, inexpensive and viable alternatives in many settings. In the operating area, it is difficult to insert a temperature probe during operation. The object of this study was to compare the difference and the correlation between the temperature of the left infrascapular skin region and temperatures of axilla, nasopharynx and rectum, METHODS: Forty-two adult patients who were admitted at surgical ICU were studied. After covering the bed with insulator and sheets, patients were placed in supine position. Temperature monitoring was done at the same time using four temperature probes from two bedside patient monitors in the same patient. The temperatures were measured twice at 30 minutes after application of the temperature probe at 10 minute intervals and the average temperature was recorded. RESULTS: The differences between skin temperature and rectal, nasopharyngeal, and axillary temperatures were -0.64+/-0.21degrees C (p<0.05), -0.40+/-0.21degrees C, and 0.24+/-0.21degrees C respectively. The lineal correlation between skin temperature and rectal, nasopharyngeal, and axillary temperatures were 0.839, 0.854, and 0.819, respectively (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the monitoring of the skin temperature at the left infrascapular skin region is well correlated with the nasopharyngeal, rectal and axillary temperatures. And it will be an easy, simple and safe method which can be used for the patients who are alert but need continuous temperature monitoring in the intensive care unit and as well as for the patients who are in the middle of operation.