Preoperative oral ondansetron for pediatric tonsillectomy.

Abstract

This prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluated the antiemetic efficacy of preoperative oral ondansetron, 0.075 mg/kg or 0.15 mg/kg, in 136 preadolescent children premedicated with midazolam 0.5 mg/kg per os and dexamethasone 0.1 mg/kg intravenously prior to undergoing tonsillectomy with isoflurane anesthesia. The incidence of vomiting during the 24 h after tonsillectomy was significantly reduced (P < 0.04) by ondansetron 0.15 mg/kg compared with placebo and ondansetron 0.075 mg/kg (15%, 38%, and 36%, respectively). There was a significant reduction (P < 0.03) in the mean number of vomiting episodes per patient during the 24 h immediately after tonsillectomy in the ondansetron 0.15 mg/kg group compared with the placebo and ondansetron 0.075 mg/kg study groups (0.2 +/- 0.6, 0.8 +/- 1.3, and 0.8 +/- 1.3, respectively). The need for antiemetic rescue therapy (ondansetron 0.15 mg/kg intravenously after three episodes of emesis prior to discharge) was significantly greater in children who received placebo compared with the ondansetron 0.15 mg/kg study group (13% vs 0%, P < 0.05). We conclude that ondansetron 0.15 mg/kg, administered orally prior to tonsillectomy, is associated with reduced postoperative vomiting in preadolescent children. In addition, the preoperative oral administration of ondansetron 0.075 mg/kg is no more effective than placebo in preventing posttonsillectomy vomiting in preadolescent children.

• Authors: J B Rose, B R Brenn, D H Corddry, P C Thomas
• Journal: Anesthesia and analgesia (Anesth Analg) Vol. 82 Issue 3 Pg. 558-62 (Mar 1996) ISSN: 0003-2999 [Print] United States
• PMID: 8623961 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Anesthetics, Inhalation
• Antiemetics
• Hypnotics and Sedatives
• Ondansetron
• Dexamethasone
• Isoflurane
• Midazolam

Topics

• Administration, Oral
• Anesthesia, Inhalation
• Anesthetics, Inhalation (administration & dosage)
• Antiemetics (therapeutic use)
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Dexamethasone (therapeutic use)
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Humans
• Hypnotics and Sedatives (administration & dosage)
• Injections, Intravenous
• Isoflurane (administration & dosage)
• Male
• Midazolam (administration & dosage)
• Ondansetron (therapeutic use)
• Postoperative Complications (prevention & control)
• Preanesthetic Medication
• Premedication
• Prospective Studies
• Tonsillectomy (adverse effects)
• Vomiting (drug therapy, prevention & control)