Ondansetron versus metoclopramide in prophylaxis of nausea and vomiting for laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a prospective double-blind randomized study.

OBJECTIVE

Patients who undergo laparoscopic cholecystectomy may be at risk of experiencing postoperative nausea and vomiting. This prospective, randomized, double-blind study compared the prophylactic use of metoclopramide and ondansetron for the treatment of postoperative nausea and vomiting in patients who underwent elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

METHODS

Eighty patients were randomized into two groups. Patients received ondansetron 4 mg or metoclopramide 10 mg intravenously in a double-blind manner at the end of anaesthesia.

RESULTS

The incidence of nausea was 45% for metoclopramide and 20% for ondansetron in the 24 hours postoperatively; the difference was statistically insignificant (p = 0.05). Postoperative nausea score did not show any significant difference between the two group in the first 2 hours (p = 0.3) and 4 hours (p = 0.12) but was significant between 4 and 24 hours (p = 0.02). The incidence of vomiting was 20% for metoclopramide and 2.5% for ondansetron. This difference was statistically significant (p = 0.02).

CONCLUSION

Ondansetron 4 mg given intravenously at the end of surgery is effective for preventing vomiting after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.