Prevention of post-operative nausea and vomiting following laparoscopic surgery--ephedrine vs propofol

Middle East J Anaesthesiol. 1998 Feb;14(4):219-30.

Abstract

Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) are relatively common troublesome distressing symptoms. The incidence is reported to be as high as 20-51%. Ninety adult ASA I and II patients scheduled for laparoscopic gynecological or surgical interventions, were randomly and equally assigned to one of the three groups in the immediate postoperative period: Group 1 received 0.1 ml.kg(-1) normal saline intravenously, while Group 2 received 0.5 mg.kg(-1) ephedrine intramuscularly and Group 3 received 0.25 mg.kg(-1) propofol intravenously as preventive antiemetic therapy. Sixty-six, 33 and 50 percent of patients experienced nausea and vomiting syndrome in Group 1, 2 and 3 respectively. Both ephedrine and propofol proved to have antiemetic properties. Ephedrine treated group of patient had significant less emetic score than propofol. No significant hemodynamic changes were recorded in both groups.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antiemetics / therapeutic use*
  • Ephedrine / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Laparoscopy*
  • Male
  • Nausea / prevention & control*
  • Postoperative Complications / prevention & control*
  • Propofol / therapeutic use*
  • Vomiting / prevention & control*

Substances

  • Antiemetics
  • Ephedrine
  • Propofol