Prevention of nausea and vomiting in female patients undergoing breast surgery: a comparison with granisetron, droperidol, metoclopramide and placebo.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Breast surgery is associated with a relatively high incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). This study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of granisetron, droperidol and metoclopramide for preventing PONV after breast surgery.

METHODS:

In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 120 female patients received granisetron 40 micrograms.kg-1, droperidol 1.25 mg, metoclopramide 10 mg or placebo (saline) (n = 30 for each) intravenously immediately before the induction of anaesthesia. A standard general anaesthetic technique was employed throughout. Postoperatively, during the first 24 h after anaesthesia, the incidence of PONV and adverse events was recorded.

RESULTS:

The incidence of PONV was 17% with granisetron, 37% with droperidol, 43% with metoclopramide and 50% with placebo (P < 0.05; overall Fisher's exact probability test). The incidence of adverse events was not different among the groups.

CONCLUSION:

Granisetron is highly effective for reducing the incidence of PONV in female patients undergoing breast surgery. Droperidol and metoclopramide are ineffective in this population.

• Authors: Y Fujii, H Tanaka, H Toyooka
• Journal: Acta anaesthesiologica Scandinavica (Acta Anaesthesiol Scand) Vol. 42 Issue 2 Pg. 220-4 (Feb 1998) ISSN: 0001-5172 [Print] England
• PMID: 9509207 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Retracted Publication)

Chemical References

• Antiemetics
• Metoclopramide
• Droperidol
• Granisetron

Topics

• Adult
• Antiemetics (therapeutic use)
• Breast Neoplasms (surgery)
• Double-Blind Method
• Droperidol (therapeutic use)
• Female
• Granisetron (therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Metoclopramide (therapeutic use)
• Middle Aged
• Nausea (prevention & control)
• Postoperative Complications (prevention & control)
• Vomiting (prevention & control)