A randomized trial evaluating the effectiveness of ondansetron for postoperative nausea and vomiting in ophthalmic surgeries

Abstract

Aim: To determine the efficacy of intravenous ondansetron in the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONY) in patients undergoing ophthalmic surgeries under general anesthesia.

Materials and methods: Five hundred patients, receiving endotracheal anesthesia were randomized either to no drug (group I, n=250) or single dose, intravenous ondansetron just prior to induction (group IIa, n=125) or prior to reversal at the conclusion of surgery (group IIb, n= 125).

Results: In the first 24 hours postoperatively, the incidence of nausea and vomiting was 20% and 47.2% respectively in control group I, 23.3% and 42.4% in group IIa, and 5.6% and 31.2% in group IIb (p=0.001,0.003). The mean number of nausea and vomiting episodes per patient declined significantly in group IIb, compared to the controls (p=0.001, 0.004). No differences were observed in group IIa.

Conclusion: Ondansetron administered intravenously at the conclusion of ophthalmic surgery reduces the occurrence of postoperative nausea and vomiting.