ABSTRACT
The aim of the study is to compare efficacy of intravenous (i/v) Palonosetron (75mcg), i/v Ondansetron (4mg) and i/v Dexamethasone (5mg) as prophylactic agents for reducing post-operative nausea and vomiting that follows laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Methods: This prospective randomized double blind study was conducted in the Department of Anaesthesia and Critical Care, Tata Main Hospital, Jamshedpur. The study participants comprised of patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgeries under general anaesthesia. A total of 90 patients i.e. 30 in each of the three groups were enrolled for the study. Enrolled patients were randomly allocated to received with i/v Dexamethasone (5 mg) or i/v Ondansetron (4mg) or i/v Palonosetron (0.075 mg). The patients in the three groups were monitored and symptoms charted on basis of Post Operative Nausea and Vomiting (PONV) scale. Results: Palonosetron 0.075mg single intravenous dose given prior to induction of anaesthesia achieves 100% complete response with 3.33% reported side effect, and none needed rescue antiemetic. Dexamethasone 5mg single intravenous dose given prior to induction of anaesthesia achieves 93.33 % complete response with none reporting side effect and 6.67% needing rescue antiemetic. Ondansetron 4mg single intravenous dose given prior to reversal of neuromuscular blockade achieves 66.67 % complete response with 20% reporting side effect and 33.33 % needing rescue antiemetic. Conclusion: I.V. Palonosetron and Dexamethasone are equally potent and superior antiemetics than Ondansetron in the prevention of PONV in patients undergoing elective laproscopic cholecystectomy under general anaesthesia.