Prophylactic metoclopramide administered immediately after the induction of anesthesia has no effect on the incidence of postoperative emesis after strabismus surgery.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy of metoclopramide (0.25 mg/kg) administered IV immediately after induction of general anesthesia for the prevention of postoperative emesis in children undergoing, elective strabismus surgery.

DESIGN

Double blind, randomized.

SETTING

Operation-theater.

SUBJECTS AND INTERVENTIONS

Seventy six non premedicated children of ASA class 1 and 2 were randomly allocated to receive either normal saline or metoclopramide immediately after the induction of general anesthesia. All children received a standardized similar anesthetic technique. Postoperative analgesia consisted of oral indomethacin.

RESULTS

The incidence of postoperative emesis in the metoclopramide group was 60% versus 71% in a placebo group (p < 0.05). The incidence of severe emesis (2 or > 2 vomiting) was similar in the placebo group (34.20%) and metoclopramide group (21.05%). There were no adverse reactions like excessive sedation, extrapyramidal signs and hemodynamic depression in either placebo or metoclopramide group.

CONCLUSIONS

Metoclopramide in a dose of 0.25 mg/kg administered intravenously prior to manipulation of eyeball is devoid of the effects but is not effective in preventing postoperative emesis in children undergoing strabismus surgery.