Postoperative nausea and vomiting.

One of the most common and distressing side effects after surgery performed under general anaesthetic is postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). Indeed, for many patients, PONV is the most distressing feature of their operation and some may become anxious about having another operation because of this. The medical and economic consequences of PONV can also be serious. This article looks at the incidence, causes, and current management of PONV, and the development of a new drug for the prevention and treatment of this.