An update on the management of PONV in a pediatric patient

Best Pract Res Clin Anaesthesiol. 2020 Dec;34(4):749-758. doi: 10.1016/j.bpa.2020.05.007. Epub 2020 Jun 10.

Abstract

Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is a major cause of patient dissatisfaction following anesthesia. The difficulty in diagnosing nausea in much of the pediatric population has led to an emphasis on anti-emetic prophylaxis for all. Assessment scores and prognostic tools enable the anesthesiologist to identify patients who are at a greater risk and appropriately apply more aggressive prophylactic, multi-drug strategies. New antiemetics emerging from other medical disciplines, particularly oncology, may have potential use in prophylaxis and treatment of nausea and vomiting in the pediatric surgical population. New agents, many of which have a long duration of action, will augment the anesthesiologist's ability to adequately prevent PONV, and to treat persistent nausea and vomiting that extend beyond the immediate post-operative period.

Keywords: post-operative nausea and vomiting; post-operative vomiting; prophylaxis; risk factors.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anesthesia / adverse effects
  • Antiemetics / administration & dosage*
  • Child
  • Disease Management*
  • Humans
  • Operative Time*
  • Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting / physiopathology
  • Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting / prevention & control*
  • Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis / methods*

Substances

  • Antiemetics