Clinical practice guidelines for the prevention and management of postoperative nausea and vomiting (2025 edition)

J Anesth Transl Med. 2025 Dec 27;4(4):286-302. doi: 10.1016/j.jatmed.2025.12.002. eCollection 2025 Dec.

Abstract

Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is a common postoperative complication that substantially influences patient recovery and healthcare quality. To further standardize PONV management in China, the Chinese Society of Anesthesiology, in collaboration with multidisciplinary experts, has developed the Clinical Practice Guidelines on Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting Management (2025 Edition) using evidence-based methodologies. This guideline addresses 21 clinical issues on PONV management and proposes 35 evidence-based recommendations covering risk-factor identification, selection of assessment tools, optimization of anesthesia techniques, and multimodal intervention strategies. Evidence quality is graded into four levels (high, moderate, low, and very low) using the GRADE system, with recommendation strength clearly indicated (strong/weak recommendations or good practice statements). The guidelines aim to establish China-specific standardized protocols to provide evidence-based guidance for anesthesiologists and healthcare professionals, supporting Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) implementation.

Keywords: Diagnostic and treatment guideline; Postoperative nausea and vomiting.

Publication types

  • Review