Postoperative nausea and vomiting in diagnostic gynaecological laparoscopic procedures: comparison of the efficacy of the combination of dexamethasone and metoclopramide with that of dexamethasone and ondansetron.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted in a tertiary hospital with the aim of comparing the efficacy of a combination of dexamethasone and metoclopramide with dexamethasone and ondansetron for the prophylaxis of postoperative nausea and vomiting [PONV] after diagnostic gynaecological laparoscopic procedures. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In this prospective, randomised, double-blind study, 120 women received either saline I.V. [Group I, n=40]; a combination of dexamethasone [8 mg] with metoclopramide [10 mg] [Group II, n=40]; or a combination of dexamethasone [8 mg] with ondansetron [4 mg] [Group III, n=40] prior to induction of general anaesthesia. PONV was evaluated at regular intervals. The results were analysed using one-way ANOVA, post-hoc, Chi-square, Kruskal-Wallace tests and Z test for proportions where appropriate through a SPSS V.9 package. RESULTS: The 3 groups were well matched for demographic characteristics. The incidence of nausea and emesis was significantly lower in Group III [[17.5%, P <0.02] and [10%, P <0.01] respectively]. Nausea scores were also lower in Group III [P <0.02]. Rescue anti-emetic requirements were higher in Group I [P <0.05] as compared to Groups II and III. CONCLUSIONS: A combination of dexamethasone and ondansetron was more efficacious as compared to that of metoclopramide and dexamethasone. The combination of metoclopramide and dexamethasone seems to offer no additional benefit as compared to saline placebo.