Postoperative nausea and vomiting: the outpatient enigma.

Postoperative nausea and vomiting is an all too common side effect of surgery and anesthesia. The usual occurrence of vomiting within the first 24 hours following surgery involves one quarter to one third of all patients. Although nausea and vomiting is typically self-limiting, lasting less than 24 hours, the consequences must be considered. Patient dissatisfaction, adverse physiological sequelae, delays in discharge from the ambulatory facility, unanticipated hospital admission, and added cost are problems associated with postoperative vomiting. This article will review the multiple factors contributing to postoperative nausea and vomiting and discuss contemporary strategies for the management of these factors.