Ondansetron: The prevention of nausea and vomiting in gynecologic operations

Abstract

The efficacy and side effects of ondansetron, a selective 5 hydroxytryptamine subtype III (5-HT 3) receptor antagonist, in prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting in gynecologic intraabdominal surgery and laparoscopy were studied. 0ne hundred forty cases were included in the study. 8 mg ondansetron was administered intravenously in 2-5 minutes immediately before induction of anesthesia in 54 laparotomy and 20 laparoscopy cases a total of 74. Forty laparotomy and 26 laparoscopic surgery cases, a total of 66, were used as a control group. Nausea scoring in the first 24 hours, episodes of vomiting and the need for additional antiemetics were recorded. Mean number of vomiting episodes was higher in both the laparotomy and laparoscopy groups of the control group when compared with the ondansetron group (p<0.05). Three (4%) vomiting episodes were seen in the first postoperative hour in the ondansetron group, while 9 (14%) vomiting episodes were observed in the control group (p<0.05). There was a need for additional antiemetics in 9 (12%) of the study and 16 (21%) of the control group (p>0.05). There was no statistical difference in nausea scoring between the two groups (p>0.05). No side effects were seen in the ondansetron group. In conclusion, a preoperative single dose of 8 mg. ondansetron is an effective drug in reducing vomiting significantly in both laparoscopy and laparotomy cases postoperatively. Although the need for additional antiemetics was less in the ondansetron group, this was insignificant compared to the controls.