Eighty-one consenting women undergoing elective
Caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia were randomly divided into two groups. In Group O patients,
ondansetron 4 mg was given intravenously at the end of the surgery and 8 mg added to the
morphine solution in the PCA syringe. Patients in Group P received only
morphine via PCA syringe.
Analgesia and
nausea were measured until PCA was discontinued 24 h after the operation. Women in the two groups were similar with respect to age, duration of use of the PCA, amount of
morphine used, previous history of
PONV, and incidence of
motion sickness and
morning sickness during the current pregnancy. The number of women who complained of
nausea and those needing rescue
antiemetic medication was significantly less in Group O. However, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in the patient's perception of the control of
nausea and their overall satisfaction. It was noted that
PONV was more frequent among women who had significant
morning sickness during early pregnancy and
ondansetron was beneficial in reducing
PONV in these women. Although the
ondansetron reduced the incidence of
PONV and the need for further
antiemetic medication, this did not affect patient's satisfaction regarding their
postoperative care.