Effect of antagonizing residual neuromuscular block by neostigmine and atropine on postoperative vomiting.

Eighty patients undergoing outpatient surgery under general anaesthesia were allocated randomly to two groups: in group A residual neuromuscular block was antagonized with a mixture of neostigmine 1.5 mg and atropine 0.5 mg; in group B spontaneous recovery was allowed. The patients were assessed after operation in hospital and 24 h after discharge. We found a significant difference (P < 0.05) in requirements for antiemetic therapy with a smaller need in the group which received neostigmine (in group A four of 40 patients received an antiemetic compared with 12 in group B). There was no significant difference in frequency of nausea or vomiting between the two groups. The incidence of postoperative nausea was 14 in group A and 18 in group B and the number of patients with postoperative vomiting was 10 in group A and 15 in group B.