Granisetron reduces the incidence and severity of nausea and vomiting after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

PURPOSE

Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) are commonly observed undesirable consequences of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. This study was undertaken to compare granisetron, a selective 5-hydroxytryptamine type 3 receptor antagonist, with droperidol for reducing the incidence and severity of PONV after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

METHODS

Eighty patients, aged 25-65 yr, scheduled for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy were enrolled in a randomized, double-blinded investigation and assigned to one of three treatment regimens: placebo (saline), 1.25 mg droperidol (approximately 25 micrograms.kg-1) or 3 mg granisetron (approximately 60 micrograms.kg-1). The study drugs were administered iv immediately before the induction of anaesthesia. A standard general anaesthetic technique was employed throughout. Nausea, vomiting and safety assessments were performed continuously during the first 24 hr after anaesthesia.

RESULTS

The incidence of PONV was 46% with placebo, 41% with droperidol and 15% with granisetron (P < 0.05; overall chi 2 test). Four patients who had received placebo and two who had received droperidol required another rescue antiemetic, compared with none who had received granisetron (P < 0.05). Adverse events postoperatively were not different among the groups.

CONCLUSION

Granisetron is more effective than droperidol and placebo for reducing the incidence and severity of PONV after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.