Comparison of the efficacy of propofol and metoclopramide in preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting after middle ear surgery

To compare the administration of sub hypnotic dose of propofol with metoclopramide and placebo in prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting [PONV] after middle ear surgery. This clinical research was performed in the Faculty of Medicine, Gazi University, Besevler, Ankara, Turkey, between December 2004 and October 2005. Following approval by the hospital ethics committee, 60 adult patients scheduled for a middle ear operation were randomly assigned into 3 groups. The patients in group P received 0.5 mg.kg-1 propofol; in group M, 0.2 mg.kg-1 metoclopramide, and in group C, 0.9% saline solution. The number of patients suffering from nausea and vomiting at 0-4, 4-12, and 12-24 hours postoperatively, and additional use of antiemetics was recorded. Comparisons of the data showed that at 0-4th hours, the incidence of vomiting was 25% in group P, 40% in group M, and 75% in group C. The incidence rate of group P was significantly lower than that of group C [p=0.002], and the rate of antiemetics use in group C was higher than that in group P [p=0.028]. The Nausea Vomiting Scale scores of group C were also significantly higher than those of group P [p=0.005]. There were no significant differences between the values at 4-12 and 12-24 hours. The administration of a sub hypnotic dose of propofol at the end of surgery was found to be at least as effective as metoclopramide in preventing PONV in the early postoperative period in adult patients undergoing middle ear surgery

effect of nicotine on the recovery of rats receiving anesthesia

To determine the effect of intraperitoneal [ip] nicotine on the recovery of rats receiving general anesthesia compared with placebo. The placebo controlled experimental study was conducted in the Faculty of Medicine, Gazi University, Turkey, between April and May 2005. Twenty-one male and 21 female rats were randomly divided into 3 groups. Group C [n=14], comprising a female group CF [n=7], and male group CM [n=7] received ip 0.9% sodium chloride [NaCl], group P [n=14], comprising a female group PF [n=7], and male group PM [n=7] received ip propofol 150 mg/kg, and group NP [n=14], comprising a female group NPF [n=7], and male group NPM [n=7] received 0.4 mg/kg ip nicotine followed by 150 mg/kg propofol after 15 minutes. For the evaluation of recovery period, tail pinch test was used, and for cognitive performance, the radial arm maze test was used. The number of entrances and exits decreased in group P significantly compared to group C [p<0.05], and the decrease in group PF was higher than it was in group PM. Entrance and exit in group NP increased significantly compared to group P [p<0.05]. The increase in entrance and exit in group NPF was much higher compared to group NPM. The recovery period in group NP was significantly shorter than in group P [p<0.05]. The ip administration of nicotine in rats shortens the recovery from propofol anesthesia and improves cognitive performance