What is new in the battle against postoperative nausea and vomiting?

Abstract

The issue of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) still poses a significant burden on our patients. Although rarely associated with a life-threatening condition, it is consistently considered as one of the most undesirable side effects of surgery and anesthesia. There are well-established risk factors for the development of PONV that include patient-related factors, anesthetic technique, use of volatile anesthetics, use of nitrous oxide, duration of anesthesia, opioid administration, and type of surgery. Because pharmacologic interventions for PONV are not without risks, practitioners must assess patient's risk status from low to high and consider the benefits of treatment. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge related to PONV and provides a practical approach toward risk assessment, prevention, and numerous treatment strategies.

• Authors: Vahé S Tateosian, Katelynn Champagne, Tong J Gan
• Journal: Best practice & research. Clinical anaesthesiology (Best Pract Res Clin Anaesthesiol) Vol. 32 Issue 2 Pg. 137-148 (Jun 2018) ISSN: 1878-1608 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 30322455 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Analgesics, Opioid
• Antiemetics
• Cholinergic Antagonists
• Serotonin Antagonists
• Nitrous Oxide

Topics

• Analgesics, Opioid (adverse effects)
• Anesthesia, General (adverse effects)
• Antiemetics (therapeutic use)
• Cholinergic Antagonists (adverse effects)
• Humans
• Nitrous Oxide (adverse effects)
• Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting (chemically induced, diagnosis, prevention & control)
• Risk Factors
• Serotonin Antagonists (adverse effects)