Prophylactic metoclopramide administered immediately after the induction of anesthesia has no effect on the incidence of postoperative emesis after strabismus surgery.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of metoclopramide (0.25 mg/kg) administered IV immediately after induction of general anesthesia for the prevention of postoperative emesis in children undergoing, elective strabismus surgery. DESIGN: Double blind, randomized. SETTING: Operation-theater. SUBJECTS AND INTERVENTIONS: Seventy six non premedicated children of ASA class 1 and 2 were randomly allocated to receive either normal saline or metoclopramide immediately after the induction of general anesthesia. All children received a standardized similar anesthetic technique. Postoperative analgesia consisted of oral indomethacin. RESULTS: The incidence of postoperative emesis in the metoclopramide group was 60% versus 71% in a placebo group (p < 0.05). The incidence of severe emesis (2 or > 2 vomiting) was similar in the placebo group (34.20%) and metoclopramide group (21.05%). There were no adverse reactions like excessive sedation, extrapyramidal signs and hemodynamic depression in either placebo or metoclopramide group. CONCLUSIONS: Metoclopramide in a dose of 0.25 mg/kg administered intravenously prior to manipulation of eyeball is devoid of the effects but is not effective in preventing postoperative emesis in children undergoing strabismus surgery.