[Does oral ondansetron reduce the incidence of nausea and vomiting after surgery for strabismus in children?].

OBJECTIVE

To compare the efficacy of oral ondansetron with oral metoclopramide for the prevention of postoperative vomiting and nausea in children undergoing strabismus surgery.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective, randomized, double-blind trial.

PATIENTS

Thirty children of physical class 1, age 9 +/- 4 years, scheduled for strabismus surgery, were randomized into two groups (ondansetron and metoclopramide).

METHODS

In the ondansetron group, the children received the first oral dose of ondansetron (4 mg) 1 hour before induction of anaesthesia and the other doses 8 and 16 hours later. In the metoclopramide group, children received metoclopramide (5 mg) in the same conditions. Anaesthesia was induced with thiopentone, vecuronium and fentanyl and maintained with halothane and N2O/O2. Patients were evaluated by an independent observer for nausea and emesis in recovery room (0-2 h) and on the ward. The adverse effects of oral ondansetron and metoclopramide were assessed.

RESULTS

There were non-significant differences between the two groups for incidence of nausea and vomiting (40% and 53% in ondansetron group versus 33 and 60% in metoclopramide group, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Unlike intravenous ondansetron, oral ondansetron is not superior to metoclopramide for the prevention of nausea and vomiting caused by strabismus surgery in children.