Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting Following General Anaesthesia: A Prospective Study

Abstract

Background and Aim: Postoperative nausea and vomiting are the most significant complication related with the use of general anaesthesia for surgical patients. Many premedication with opioids can also results into nausea and vomiting by triggering vomiting center. This prospective study was conducted to assess the post operative nausea and vomiting following General Anaesthesia on 60 patients in the Department of Anesthesiology over a period of one year. Material and Methods: Endotracheal intubation was facilitated by the use of 1.5-2mg/kg succinylcholine, 0.1mg/kg vecuronium, 0.5mg/kg atracurium. Intraoperative analgesia was achieved with either of fentanyl 1µg/kg and maintenance dose 0.5µg/kg after 45 minutes to 1 hour. Anesthesia was maintained with oxygen (34%) and nitrous oxide (66%) in isoflurane, sevoflurane.

Statistical Analysis and Results: Qualitative data were displayed in the form of frequency tables, pie chart and bar charts. Where necessary, categoric variables were compared using chi-square and fisher´s exact tests while students T test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used for the continuous data.

Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, authors stated that the overall incidence of postoperative nausea was 17 (28.3%) and vomiting 17 (28.3%) of the 60 patients studied (P=0.139). Both Propofol and Etomidate induction agents was associated with lower incidence of PONV compared to thiopentone sodium (P=0.366). Future comprehensive and extended researches would be crucial to deepen our understanding and potentially refine these applications in similar clinical settings.`