Dropridol and metoclopramide in the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting

To asses the efficacy of droperidol and metoclopramide for prevention of post operative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in patients undergoing ophthalmic surgery under general anesthesia. This is a double blind, placebo controlled randomized study performed at Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran on one hundred and fifty ASA physical status 1 or 2 (classification of physical status by American Society of Anesthesiologists) adult patients undergoing elective ophthalmic surgery (cataract). All the patients were anesthetized with endotracheal intubation and received either metoclopramide 0.15 mg/kg, droperidol 0.02 mg/kg or placebo approximately 10-15 minutes before extubation. Direct observation of the vomiting by the nurse in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) for at least 2 hours and in the ward for 24 hours was made. Chi-square test with descriptive statistical method was employed for data analysis. There significant difference between groups received pharmacological intervention and placebo group (P<0.01). However, droperidol in comparison to metoclopramide significantly decreased incidence of PONV (P<0.02). Droperidol 0.02 mg/kg seems to be suitable for the prevention of PONV without significant sedative effects. (author)