Comparison of the use of domperidone, droperidol and metoclopramide in the prevention of nausea and vomiting following gynaecological surgery in day cases.

The efficacy of domperidone 20 mg, droperidol 2.5 mg, metoclopramide 10 mg or placebo (saline) administered i.v. before induction of anaesthesia, was studied in 199 women undergoing gynaecological surgery as day cases. Following a standardized general anaesthetic technique, droperidol or metoclopramide significantly reduced the incidence of nausea and vomiting; domperidone decreased the incidence of postoperative nausea alone. The occurrence of extrapyramidal reactions was similar in all groups. Patients treated with antiemetics were no more sedated than those given placebo. Those receiving droperidol complained of significantly less postoperative pain than those who had received domperidone or metoclopramide.