Safety and feasibility of early drinking water after general anesthesia recovery in patients undergoing daytime surgery.

BACKGROUND: Patients who are recovering from general anesthesia commonly exhibit symptoms such as dry lips, throat irritation, and thirst, prompting a desire to drink water in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU). In this study, we aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effects and any potential complications of administering varying quantities of water to such patients. The primary objectives are to assess the safety and feasibility of early water intake after general anesthesia, specifically in the context of daytime surgery. METHODS: A total of 200 nongastrointestinal patients who underwent outpatient surgery were randomly assigned to four groups: Group A (drinking < 1 ml/kg), Group B (drinking 1-2 ml/kg), Group C (drinking > 2 ml/kg), and Group D (no water intake). We monitored changes in the assessment parameters before and after water consumption, as well as the incidence of post-drinking nausea and vomiting, and compared these outcomes among the four groups. RESULTS: Water intake led to a significant reduction in thirst, oropharyngeal discomfort, and pain scores and a notable increase in the gastric antrum motility index (MI), exhibiting statistical significance compared to the values before drinking (p < 0.05). Remarkably, higher water consumption correlated with enhanced gastrointestinal peristalsis. There was a significant difference in the antral MI among groups B, C, and A (p < 0.05). The occurrence of nausea and vomiting did not significantly differ among groups A, B, C, and D (p > 0.05). Early water consumption enhanced patient satisfaction with medical care, significantly varying from Group D (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Non-gastrointestinal surgical patients who passed pre-drinking water assessments post GA(general anesthesia)recovery could safely ingest moderate amounts of water in the PACU. Early water intake is both safe and feasible, effectively fostering swift postoperative recovery.

Risk factors for nausea and vomiting requiring the daily administration of 5-HT3 receptor antagonists in radiotherapy combined with temozolomide for high-grade glioma.

Radiotherapy combined with temozolomide (TMZ+RT) is the primary treatment for high-grade glioma. TMZ is classified as a moderate emetic risk agent and, thus, supportive care for nausea and vomiting is important. In Nagoya University Hospital, all patients are treated with a 5-hydroxy-tryptamine 3 receptor antagonist (5-HT3RA) for the first 3 days. The daily administration of 5-HT3RA is resumed after the 4th day based on the condition of patients during TMZ+RT. Therefore, the present study investigated risk factors for nausea and vomiting in patients requiring the daily administration of 5-HT3RA. Patients with high-grade glioma who received TMZ+RT between January 2014 and December 2019 at our hospital were included. Patients were divided into two groups: a control group (patients who did not resume 5-HT3RA) and resuming 5-HT3RA group (patients who resumed 5-HT3RA after the 4th day), and both groups were compared to identify risk factors for nausea and vomiting during TMZ+RT. There were 78 patients in the control group (68%) and 36 in the resuming 5-HT3RA group (32%). A multivariate analysis of patient backgrounds in the two groups identified age <18 years, PS 2 or more, and occipital lobe tumors as risk factors for nausea and vomiting. Nausea and vomiting were attenuated in 30 patients (83%) in the resuming 5-HT3RA group following the resumption of 5-HT3RA. The results obtained highlight the importance of extracting patients with these risk factors before the initiation of therapy and the early resumption or daily administration of 5-HT3RA according to the condition of each patient.

The effect of BIS-guided anaesthesia on the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting in children: a prospective randomized double-blind study.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is a significant problem following paediatric surgery, and volatile anaesthetics are an important cause of this phenomenon. BIS-guided anaesthesia, by reducing the consumption of anaesthetics, leads to a decrease in PONV in adult patients. STUDY OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the role of BIS-guided anaesthesia in reducing the incidence of paediatric PONV. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, double-blind study. SETTING: A single center study in university hospital in Czech republic, from June 2021 to November 2022. PATIENTS: A total of 163 children, aged 3-8 years with ASA I-II who underwent endoscopic adenoidectomy under general anaesthesia were included. INTERVENTIONS: In the intervention group, the depth of anaesthesia was maintained to values between 40 and 60 of BIS. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The primary outcome was the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting during 24 h after surgery. RESULTS: The use of BIS-guided anaesthesia led to a significant decrease in the incidence of nausea and vomiting compared to the control group [17% vs. 53%; RR (95%CI) 0.48 (0.27-0.86); p < 0.001and 16% vs. 34%; RR (95%CI) 0.33 (0.20-0.54); p = 0.01, respectively]. CONCLUSIONS: BIS-guided anaesthesia decreases the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting in children undergoing adenoidectomy. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT04466579.

NHS-Reimbursed Cannabis Flowers for Cancer Palliative Care and the Management of Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: An Autobiographical Case Report.

Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) is a debilitating side effect of cancer treatment, affecting many patients. Cannabinoid agonists, such as nabilone and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive component of Cannabis sativa L., have shown efficacy as antiemetics. Here, we report the case of Michael Roberts (MR), who we believe is the first British patient reimbursed by the National Health Service (NHS) England for the cost of medicinal cannabis flowers to manage CINV. Medical data were obtained from NHS records and individual funding request (IFR) forms. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) were collected using validated questionnaires as part of the standard of care at the specialized private clinics where the prescription of medicinal cannabis was initiated. The patient presented with rectosigmoid adenocarcinoma with lung metastases. He received FOLFIRI (folinic acid, fluorouracil, and irinotecan) chemotherapy and underwent an emergency Hartmann's procedure with subsequent second-line FOLFOX (folinic acid, fluorouracil, and oxaliplatin) chemotherapy and lung ablation. MR reported severe nausea and vomiting associated with the initial FOLFIRI treatment. Antiemetics metoclopramide and aprepitant demonstrated moderated efficacy. Antiemetics ondansetron, levomepromazine, and nabilone were associated with intolerable side effects. Inhalation of THC-predominant cannabis flowers in association with standard medication improved CINV, anxiety, sleep quality, appetite, overall mood, and quality of life. Our results add to the available evidence suggesting that medicinal cannabis flowers may offer valuable support in cancer palliative care integrated with standard-of-care oncology treatment. The successful individual funding request in this case demonstrates a pathway for other patients to gain access to these treatments, advocating for broader awareness and integration of cannabis-based medicinal products in national healthcare services.

Olanzapine versus standard antiemetic prophylaxis for the prevention of post-discharge nausea and vomiting after propofol-based general anaesthesia: A randomised controlled trial.

Background and Aims: Post-discharge nausea and vomiting (PDNV) is a pertinent problem in patients undergoing ambulatory surgery. The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of the novel drug olanzapine, which has proved its efficiency in patients undergoing highly emetogenic chemotherapy for PDNV prevention. Methods: This randomised controlled trial recruited 106 adult patients (18-65 years) undergoing highly emetogenic daycare surgeries with propofol-based general anaesthesia (GA). Group O received preoperative oral olanzapine 10 mg, and Group C, acting as a control, received 8 mg of intravenous dexamethasone and 4 mg of ondansetron intraoperatively. The primary outcome was nausea (numeric rating scale >3) and/or vomiting 24 h after discharge. Secondary outcomes included nausea and vomiting in the post-anaesthesia care unit (PACU), severe nausea, vomiting and side effects. Normality was assessed using the Shapiro-Wilk test, and the independent samples t-test or the Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare continuous variables. Fisher's exact test was used to assess any non-random associations between the categorical variables. Results: The incidence and severity of postoperative nausea and vomiting were similar in both groups within PACU (four patients experienced nausea and vomiting, three had severe symptoms in Group O, P = 0.057) and in the post-discharge period (three patients in Group O had nausea and vomiting compared to five patients in Group C, of which four were severe, P = 0.484). The side effects (sedation, dizziness, and light-headedness) were comparable between the two groups. Conclusion: A single preoperative oral olanzapine can be an effective alternative to standard antiemetic prophylaxis involving dexamethasone and ondansetron for preventing PDNV in highly emetogenic daycare surgeries with propofol-based GA.

Evaluation of Efficacy of Adding Aprepitant to Palonosetron and Dexamethasone in Carboplatin and Etoposide Therapy.

Although carboplatin (CBDCA) is classified as a moderately emetogenic agent, the majority of guidelines recommend the use of a neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist in addition to a 5-hydroxytryptamine type 3 receptor antagonist with dexamethasone (DEX) for CBDCA-containing chemotherapy because of its higher emetogenic risk. However, the additional efficacy of aprepitant (APR) in CBDCA-containing treatment remains controversial, and data on multiple-day treatments are limited. Etoposide (ETP) was administered on days 1-3 in the CBDCA + ETP regimen, and it is important to evaluate suitable antiemetic therapy for the regimen. Therefore, we evaluated the efficacy of additional APR in CBDCA + ETP. Patients were divided into two groups and retrospectively evaluated. One was the control group, which was prophylactically administered palonosetron (PALO) and DEX, and the other was the APR group, which received APR orally with PALO and DEX. The primary endpoint was complete response (CR) between the groups. The overall CR rates were 75.0 and 76.4% in the control and APR groups, respectively, with no significant difference (p = 1.00). In the acute phase, it was 88.9 and 97.2%, respectively, and 86.1 and 79.2% in the delayed phase, respectively, without significant differences (p = 0.10 and 0.38, respectively). The incidence and severity of nausea, vomiting, and anorexia were not significantly different between the two groups in the acute and delayed phases. Our findings suggest that combining APR with PALO and DEX does not improve the CR rate in CBDCA + ETP therapy.

Nalbuphine versus morphine: an adjuvant to spinal anesthesia for controlling pain after total knee arthroplasty: a propensity score-matched analysis.

BACKGROUND: Nalbuphine, a synthetic k-agonist and µ-antagonist, provides efficient pain relief while reducing opioid-related adverse effects. This study aims to compare the efficacy of intrathecal nalbuphine (ITN) with intrathecal morphine (ITM) for post-TKA pain. METHODS: A retrospective cohort analysis of 131 patients who underwent TKA with spinal anesthesia (SA), a single shot of adductor canal block, and periarticular injections was conducted. The patients were divided into 2 groups, Group N received 0.8 mg nalbuphine, and Group M received 0.2 mg morphine as an adjuvant to SA. Propensity-score matching was employed to compare the visual analog scales (VAS) of postoperative pain intensity, cumulative morphine use (CMU), maximum knee flexion angle, straight leg raise (SLR) ability, incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), and length of hospital stay (LHS). RESULTS: The mean VAS of group M were significantly lower than group N at 6, 12, 18, and 24 h (P < 0.01). Group M had lower CMU than group N at 24 h (P < 0.01) and 48 h (P < 0.01), while there was no significant difference between groups in terms of knee flexion angle and SLR at any time point. Additionally, 29.3 and 57.9% of patients in group N and M experienced PONV, respectively (p = 0.04), and group N had significantly shorter LHS compared to group M (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Although, intrathecal morphine (ITM) still provides better pain control particularly in the first 24 h, patients who received intrathecal nalbuphine (ITN) had significantly fewer incidence of PONV, and shorter LHS.

Feasibility and face validity of two patient reported outcome measures for nausea: Preferences of children with cancer.

PURPOSE: To optimize recognition and management of nausea in children with cancer using patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) and to identify preferences of children with cancer regarding two validated tools: the Baxter Retching Faces (BARF) scale and the Pediatric Nausea Assessment Tool (PeNAT). DESIGN AND METHODS: This quantitative descriptive cross-sectional study (n = 34) used bespoke questionnaires to measure feasibility and face validity of the BARF and the PeNAT. Feasibility included the items: understanding, ease of use, and communication. Face validity was studied in terms of the degree in which the faces of both PROMs corresponded with children's feelings of nausea. A descriptive and comparative analysis of the data was performed. RESULTS: Both the BARF and the PeNAT were rated by the children as feasible, and no significant differences were found. However, regarding the item communication, the PeNAT did not reach the cut-off value (≥80% of all children scored neutral, agree or totally agree on the Likert scale). Regarding face validity, only the BARF reached the cut-off value and corresponded significantly better with children's feelings of nausea than the PeNAT. CONCLUSION: According to children with cancer, only the BARF is both feasible and meets criteria for face validity. Therefore, the BARF is recommended as a PROM for reporting nausea in children with cancer. However, possible differences between age groups should be taken into account for future research. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: This study will help health care professionals in making a patient-centered and informed choice when using a PROM for measuring nausea in children with cancer.

Exploration of treatment strategies and susceptibility gene of postoperative nausea and vomiting in breast cancer patients: a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: A history of severe nausea and vomiting during pregnancy (SNVP) is a risk factor for postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). This study aimed to explore potentially effective treatment strategies and potential genetic factors underlying SNVP risk-related PONV. METHODS: A total of 140 female patients undergoing breast cancer surgery were assigned to either the study group (70 with SNVP) or the control group (70 with mild to moderate nausea and vomiting during pregnancy (MNVP)). Patients in each group were randomly assigned to two different treatment subgroups and received either ondansetron plus dexamethasone (OD) or OD + TEAS (ODT) (transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation, TEAS). Blood samples were collected from patients before induction (D0) and 24 h (D1) after surgery for growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) evaluation. The primary outcome was the incidence of PONV within 36 h. The secondary outcome was the serum GDF-15 level. RESULTS: The incidence of PONV in the SNVP group was significantly higher than that in the MNVP group within 24 h (P < 0.005). In the SNVP group, ODT-treated patients had less PONV than those in the OD-treated group during the 6-12 h (P = 0.033) and 12-24 h (P = 0.008) intervals, while within 6 h, there were fewer vomiting cases in the ODT-treated group (SNVP-ODT vs. SNVP-OD, 7/33 vs. 19/35, P = 0.005). The preoperative GDF-15 serum levels in patients with SNVP were significantly higher (P = 0.004). Moreover, higher preoperative GDF-15 serum levels correlated with a higher incidence of PONV (P = 0.043). CONCLUSIONS: TEAS showed significant effect on PONV treatment in patients with SNVP. A higher serum GDF-15 level was associated with a history of SNVP, as well as a higher risk of PONV.

Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting in Female Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Gastrointestinal Surgery with Double Prophylactic Therapy.

Purpose Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is a major problem after surgery. This study aimed to demonstrate the incidence of PONV and the potential associated factors in female patients undergoing laparoscopic gastrointestinal surgery against the background of double prophylactic therapy. Methods Our retrospective study recruited 109 female patients undergoing laparoscopic gastrointestinal surgery with double prophylactic therapy, combining palonosetron with dexamethasone, from October 2020 to March 2021, at the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China. Patient characteristics and perioperative management factors were included in univariate and multivariate analyses to identify factors influencing PONV. Results Four patients lacked complete records, and of the 105 patients included in the final analysis, 53 (50.5%) patients developed PONV. Two influencing factors for PONV were identified: a history of chemotherapy (odds ratio [OR] 0.325, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.123-0.856; p = 0.023) and dosage of hydromorphone ≥ 0.02 mg/kg (OR 2.857, 95% CI 1.247-6.550; p = 0.013). The performance of the multivariate logistic regression was evaluated by analyzing receiver operating characteristic curves, resulting in an area under the curve value of 0.673. Conclusion The incidence of PONV remains high in female patients undergoing laparoscopic gastrointestinal surgery, even with double prophylactic therapy. A dosage of hydromorphone ≥ 0.02 mg/kg may increase risk of PONV, whereas a history of chemotherapy might be a protective factor.

Comparison of anaesthesia strategies on postoperative nausea and vomiting in laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Intra-operative anaesthesia management should be optimised to reduce the occurrence of postoperative nausea and vomiting in high-risk patients; however, a single intervention may not effectively reduce postoperative nausea and vomiting in such patients. This study assessed the effect of an optimised anaesthetic protocol versus a conventional one on postoperative nausea and vomiting in patients who underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. METHODS: A single-centre randomised trial was conducted at Peking University Shenzhen Hospital from June 2021 to December 2022. Among 168 patients who underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, 116 qualified, and 103 completed the study with available data. Patients were categorized into the conventional group (received sevoflurane and standard fluids) and the optimised group (underwent propofol-based anaesthesia and was administered goal-directed fluids). The primary endpoints were postoperative nausea and vomiting incidence and severity within 24 h. RESULTS: Postoperative nausea and vomiting assessment at 0-3 h post-surgery revealed no significant differences between groups. However, at 3-24 h, the optimised anaesthetic protocol group showed lower postoperative nausea and vomiting incidence and severity than those of the conventional group (P = 0.005). In the conventional group, 20 (37.04%) patients experienced moderate-to-severe postoperative nausea and vomiting, compared to six (12.25%) patients in the optimised group (odds ratio = 0.237; 95% CI = 0.086, 0.656; P = 0.006). No significant differences were noted in antiemetic treatment, moderate-to-severe pain incidence, anaesthesia recovery, post-anaesthetic care unit stay, or postoperative duration between the groups. While the total intra-operative infusion volumes were comparable, the optimised group had a significantly higher colloidal infusion volume (500 mL vs. 0 mL, P = 0.014) than that of the conventional group. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence and severity of postoperative nausea and vomiting 3-24 h postoperatively in patients who underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy were significantly lower with propofol-based total intravenous anaesthesia and goal-directed fluid therapy than with sevoflurane anaesthesia and traditional fluid management. Total intravenous anaesthesia is an effective multimodal antiemetic strategy for bariatric surgery. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial was registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR-TRC- 2,100,046,534, registration date: 21 May 2021).

Influence of higher body mass index on postoperative nausea and vomiting in patients following thoracic surgery for lung cancer: a propensity score-matched cohort study.

This study aimed to quantify the association between body mass index (BMI) and postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) within the initial 48 h following thoracic surgery for lung cancer. We then explored whether changes in serum inflammatory factor concentrations were related to BMI during the early postoperative period. We conducted a propensity score-matched (PSM), retrospective cohort study at a specialized tertiary medical center. A total of 194 patients aged 18-80 years who underwent thoracic surgery for lung cancer at Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital between January and June 2021 were enrolled. The primary outcome was the incidence of PONV during the first 48 h after surgery. Nausea, vomiting or retching at different time periods, severe pain, and concentrations of perioperative serum inflammatory factors including CRP, IL-6, IL-12, and IFN-γ were also assessed. Patients in the high BMI group (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2) had a lower incidence of PONV than those in the normal BMI group (18.5-25 kg/m2) within the first 48 h after surgery (22 vs. 50%, p = 0.004). The incidence of nausea was lower at 0-12 h (14.5 vs. 37.1%, p = 0.004) and 12-24 h (8.1 vs. 22.6%, p = 0.025) in the high BMI group after surgery, and the incidence of vomiting was lower at 0-12 h (12.9 vs. 30.6%, p = 0.017) in higher BMI after surgery. We found no significant difference in the incidence of severe pain [severe static pain (p = 0.697) and severe dynamic pain (p = 0.158)]. Moreover, higher concentrations of IL-12 (2.24 ± 2.67 pg/ml vs. 1.48 ± 1.14 pg/ml, p = 0.048) and IFN-γ [1.55 (1.00) pg/ml vs. 1.30 (0.89) pg/ml, p = 0.041] were observed in patients with normal BMI on the first day after surgery. Given this finding, patients with a normal BMI should receive more attention for the prevention of PONV than those with a high BMI following thoracic surgery for lung cancer.Trial registration: http://www.chictr.org.cn and ChiCTR2100052380 (24/10/2021).

The Efficacy of Aprepitant in Preventing Post-bariatric Surgery Nausea and Vomiting: Evidence from Clinical Trials.

INTRODUCTION: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of aprepitant in preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) following metabolic bariatric surgery (MBS). METHODS: Clinical trials meeting the inclusion criteria were identified through searches of PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library databases, as well as clinical trials registered at clinicaltrials. gov. These trials compared aprepitant with the control or placebo groups among patients who underwent MBS. Meta-analysis was performed using StataSE 17.0 software to calculate the pooled risk ratio (RR) and its 95% confidence interval (CI) to assess the effectiveness of aprepitant in preventing PONV following MBS. RESULTS: A total of five articles comprising six studies including 929 patients undergoing MBS were included. Meta-analysis revealed a significant reduction in the incidence of PONV among patients receiving aprepitant (pooled RR = 0.51, 95% CI: 0.38-0.68, P < 0.05). Subgroup analysis indicated that aprepitant effectively reduced PONV incidence at 0, 6, and 12 h postoperatively in patients with MBS, but did not decrease PONV occurrence at 24 and 48 h postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Aprepitant demonstrated significant clinical efficacy in preventing PONV following MBS, effectively reducing patient discomfort, and improving postoperative recovery. Therefore, aprepitant should be considered a preventive measure in patients undergoing MBS to enhance patient satisfaction and recovery rates. Additionally, to maintain an effective drug concentration, aprepitant should be administered within the first 24 h postoperatively. PROSPERO REGISTRATION: CRD 42024528154.

PONV Management in Adult Patients: Evidence-based Summary.

PURPOSE: To summarize the evidence on perioperative nausea and vomiting management in adult patients worldwide. DESIGN: This is a summary of the best evidence on postoperative nausea and vomiting in adults. METHODS: Databases such as British Medical Journal Best Practice, Cochrane Library, Joanna Briggs Institute, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network, National Guideline Clearing House, Guidelines International Network, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN), Registered Nurses Association of Ontario, PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Embase, Yimaitong Clinical Guidelines, China Anesthesia Official website, SinoMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, and VIP were searched to collect the relevant guidelines for clinical decision-making, best practices, systematic review, evidence summary, and expert consensus about perioperative nausea and vomiting management. The retrieval time was from the establishment of the database to January 2022. Two authors independently evaluated the quality of the included literature and extracted and summarized the evidence that met the quality criteria. FINDINGS: A total of 22 studies, including 1 best practice, 2 clinical decision-making articles, 7 evidence summaries, 1 clinical guideline, 9 systematic reviews, and 2 expert consensuses, were included. The summary of 37 pieces of evidence from 7 aspects: risk factors, assessment methods, multimodal prevention strategy, health education, nondrug intervention, drug prevention, postoperative analgesia management strategy, and organization management. CONCLUSIONS: The health care team should select the best evidence according to the characteristics of the department and clinical practice, scientifically manage perioperative nausea and vomiting of patients, reduce the incidence and severity of nausea and vomiting, and promote the accelerated rehabilitation of patients.

Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, safety, and tolerability of dopamine-receptor antagonists for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.

INTRODUCTION: Dopamine (D)2,3-receptor antagonists (RAs) were the first antiemetics used in the prophylaxis of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). AREAS COVERED: Eight D2,3-RAs, amisulpride, domperidone, droperidol, haloperidol, metoclopramide, metopimazine, olanzapine and prochlorperazine are reviewed focusing on pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, antiemetic effect and side effects. EXPERT OPINION: Since the introduction of D2,3-RAs, antiemetics such as corticosteroids, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)3-RAs and neurokinin (NK)1-RAs have been developed. The classical D2,3-RAs are recommended in the prophylaxis of CINV from low emetic risk chemotherapy, but not as a fixed component of an antiemetic regimen for moderately or highly (HEC) emetic risk chemotherapy. D2,3-RAs are also used in patients with breakthrough nausea and vomiting. It should be emphasized, that most of these drugs are not selective for dopamine receptors.The multi-receptor targeting agent, olanzapine, is recommended in the prophylaxis of HEC-induced CINV as part of a four-drug antiemetic regimen, including a 5-HT3-RA, dexamethasone and a NK1-RA. Olanzapine is the most effective agent to prevent chemotherapy-induced nausea.Side effects differ among various D2,3-RAs. Metopimazine and domperidone possess a low risk of extrapyramidal side effects. Domperidone and metoclopramide are prokinetics, whereas metopimazine delays gastric emptying and haloperidol does not influence gastric motility. Many D2,3-RAs increase the risk of prolonged QTc interval; other side effects include sedation and orthostatic hypotension.

Editorial to "Incidence of nausea/vomiting following propofol sedation with adaptive-servo ventilation for atrial fibrillation ablation".

The incidence of nausea, vomiting, and symptoms relating to vagal nerve injury remains high after atrial fibrillation ablation, with many patients reporting symptoms in the hours to months after their procedure. These are often underreported in literature, and this editorial piece opines about a study assessing this in detail.

Utility of spinal anesthesia in plastic surgery and other surgical subspecialties: A literature review.

INTRODUCTION: Spinal anesthesia (SA) is commonly used within the specialties of orthopedic surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, spine surgery, and general surgery, and offers several benefits over general anesthesia (GA). However, SA is used much less frequently in plastic surgery. This review analyzed currently existing data on SA use across various surgical specialties and compared the benefits and complications of SA to those of GA, to assess its utility and potential for more widespread use in plastic surgery. METHODS: A comprehensive literature review was conducted using the PubMed and Cochrane Library databases to evaluate the utility of SA in plastic surgery. Indications, contraindications, and data on the use of SA across various surgical specialties were reviewed. Benefits, complications, and cost-effectiveness were also assessed. Finally, the utility of SA in plastic surgery was evaluated based on the available literature. RESULTS: SA has been shown to yield several benefits and fewer risks than GA, including a higher possibility of early discharge, decreased costs, better pain and postoperative nausea and vomiting control, and decreased risk of deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. CONCLUSION: Although commonly used for procedures across various surgical specialties such as obstetrics and gynecology, urology, and orthopedic surgery, SA is less frequently used within plastic surgery. Plastic surgery procedures that would benefit from the use of SA include those below the umbilicus such as liposuction, lower extremity procedures, and perineal procedures, and owing to its benefits, we recommend that SA be used more often within plastic surgery under appropriate clinical circumstances.

Low Vitamin D Levels in Patients with Symptoms of Gastroparesis: Relationships with Nausea and Vomiting, Gastric Emptying and Gastric Myoelectrical Activity.

Patients with gastroparesis (Gp) often have diets deficient in calories, electrolytes, and vitamins. Vitamin D levels have been reported to be low in some patients with Gp but has not been systematically studied. AIMS: To determine vitamin D levels and relationships among symptoms, gastric emptying and gastric myoelectrical activity (GMA) in patients with symptoms of Gp. METHODS: 25-hydroxy-vitamin D was measured in patients at enrollment in the Gastroparesis Clinical Consortium Registry. Gastroparesis Cardinal Symptoms Index (GCSI), gastric emptying, and GMA before and after water load satiety test (WLST) were measured. GMA, expressed as percentage distribution of activity in normal and dysrhythmic ranges, was recorded using electrogastrography. RESULTS: Overall, vitamin D levels were low (< 30 ng/ml) in 288 of 513 (56.1%) patients with symptoms of Gp (206 of 376 (54.8%) patients with delayed gastric emptying (Gp) and 82 of 137 (59.9%) patients with symptoms of Gp and normal gastric emptying). Low vitamin D levels were associated with increased nausea and vomiting (P < 0.0001), but not with fullness or bloating subscores. Low vitamin D levels in patients with Gp were associated with greater meal retention at four hours (36% retention) compared with Gp patients with normal vitamin D levels (31% retention; P = 0.05). Low vitamin D in patients with normal gastric emptying was associated with decreased normal 3 cpm GMA before (P = 0.001) and increased tachygastria after WLST (P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Low vitamin D levels are present in half the patients with symptoms of gastroparesis and are associated with nausea and vomiting and gastric neuromuscular dysfunction.

Outcomes of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting guideline adherence in pediatric and adult patients: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: This study describes chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) control rates in pediatric and adult patients who did or did not receive guideline-consistent CINV prophylaxis. METHODS: We conducted a systematic literature review of studies published in 2000 or later that evaluated CINV control in patients receiving guideline-consistent vs. guideline-inconsistent CINV prophylaxis and reported at least one CINV-related patient outcome. Studies were excluded if the guideline evaluated was not publicly available or not developed by a professional organization. Over-prophylaxis was defined as antiemetic use recommended for a higher level of chemotherapy emetogenicity than a patient was receiving. RESULTS: We identified 7060 citations and retrieved 141 publications for full-text evaluation. Of these, 21 publications (14 prospective and seven retrospective studies) evaluating guidelines developed by six organizations were included. The terms used to describe CINV endpoints and definition of guideline-consistent CINV prophylaxis varied among studies. Included studies either did not address over-prophylaxis in their definition of guideline-consistent CINV prophylaxis (48%; 10/21) or defined it as guideline-inconsistent (38%; 8/21) or guideline-consistent (3/21; 14%). Eleven included studies (52%; 11/21) reported a clinically meaningful improvement in at least one CINV endpoint in patients receiving guideline-consistent CINV prophylaxis. Ten reported a statistically significant improvement. CONCLUSIONS: This evidence supports the use of guideline-consistent prophylaxis to optimize CINV control. Institutions caring for patients with cancer should systematically adapt CINV CPGs for local implementation and routinely evaluate CINV outcomes.