Continuous
antiemetic effect of epidural
droperidol was evaluated by prospective, double-blinded study using 145 ASA physical status I-II patients undergoing major
gynecological surgery. All patients received bolus epidural infusion of
buprenorphine at the end of the operation and continuous epidural infusion of
buprenorphine for 48 hours. Patients were divided into 3 groups, 49 patients of Group I received placebo, 50 patients of Group II received only bolus doses of
droperidol 2.5 mg and the remaining 46 patients of Group III received continuous epidural infusion of
droperidol 10 mg in 48 hours. Visual analogue scales for
nausea, the incidence of
emetic episodes and side effects were evaluated at 3 hr, 24 hr and 48 hr postoperatively. The scores for
nausea were significantly lower in Group III (P < 0.05) compared with Group I 24 hr after the operation. The incidence of
emesis was significantly lower in Group III (P < 0.05) as compared with Group I and II 48 hr after the operation. Extrapyramidal side effects and
sedative effects were not observed in any patients. The continuous epidural administration of
droperidol is effective in prevention of
postoperative nausea and vomiting and the effect lasts during its infusion with no side effects.