RESUMO
To compare the efficacy of combined metoclopramide and dexamethasone with ondansetron in preventing nausea and vomiting after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Randomized controlled trial. Surgical Unit I Combined Military Hospital Rawalpindi, from 1[st] June 2010 to 3[rd] January 2011. A total of 120 patients were observed for 24 hours after elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy for nausea and vomiting and divided into two groups of 60 patients each. Nausea and vomiting was rated by the patients according to a three point scale [O=no nausea and vomiting, 1= nausea, 2= retching or vomiting]. Early postoperative nausea and vomiting was not present in 31[51.7%] patients of group 1 and 40[66.7%] of group 2 [score = 0]. In 11[18.3%] patients of group 1 and 12 [20.0%] of group 2 only nausea was present [score = 1], while 18[30.0%] patients in group 1 and [13.3%] in group 2 scored 2.The late postoperative nausea and vomiting was not present in 21[35.0%] patients in group 1 and 37[61.7%] in group II [score = 0]. In 28 [46.7%] patients in group 1 and 22[36.7%] in group 2 nausea was present [score = 1] while 11[18.3%] patients of group 1 and 1[1.7%] in group 2 scored 2. Ondansetron was effective as compared to combined metoclopramide and dexamethasone in prevention of post-laparoscopic cholecystectomy nausea and vomiting