Small doses of propofol, droperidol, and metoclopramide for the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting after thyroidectomy.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of small doses of propofol, droperidol, and metoclopramide for the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) after thyroidectomy.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective, randomized, double-blinded study.

SETTING

University-affiliated teaching hospital.

METHODS

In a randomized, double-blinded study, 90 patients (75 females) received propofol 0.5 mg/kg, droperidol 20 microg/kg, or metoclopramide 0.2 mg/kg intravenously (n = 30 in each group) at the end of surgery. A standardized general anesthetic technique was used.

RESULTS

The incidence of PONV during the first 24 hours after anesthesia was recorded in 13%, 47%, and 50% of patients who had received propofol, droperidol, and metoclopramide, respectively (P < 0.05; overall Fisher exact probability test). No clinically important adverse events were observed in any of the groups.

CONCLUSION

Small dose (0.5 mg/kg) of propofol is more effective than droperidol or metoclopramide for the prevention of PONV after thyroidectomy.