Comparative study of the antiemetic efficacy of ondansetron, propofol and midazolam in the early postoperative period:

The effect of perioperative benzodiazepine administration on postoperative nausea and vomiting: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Despite recent systematic reviews suggesting their benefit for postoperative nausea, vomiting, or both (PONV) prevention, benzodiazepines have not been incorporated into guidelines for PONV prophylaxis because of concerns about possible adverse effects. We conducted an updated meta-analysis to inform future practice guidelines.

METHODS

We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of all languages comparing benzodiazepines with non-benzodiazepine comparators in adults undergoing inpatient surgery. Our outcomes were postoperative nausea, vomiting, or both. We assessed risk of bias for RCTs using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. We pooled data using a random-effects model and assessed the quality of evidence for each outcome using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach.

RESULTS

We screened 31 413 abstracts and 950 full texts. We included 119 RCTs; 104 were included in quantitative synthesis. Based on moderate certainty evidence, we found that perioperative benzodiazepine administration reduced the incidence of PONV (52 studies, n=5086, relative risk [RR]: 0.77, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.66-0.89; number needed to treat [NNT] 16; moderate certainty), postoperative nausea (55 studies, n=5916, RR: 0.72, 95% CI 0.62-0.83; NNT 21; moderate certainty), and postoperative vomiting (52 studies, n=5909, RR: 0.74, 95% CI 0.60-0.91; NNT 55; moderate certainty).

CONCLUSIONS

Moderate quality evidence shows that perioperative benzodiazepine administration decreases the incidence of PONV. The results of this systematic review and meta-analysis will inform future clinical practice guidelines.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW PROTOCOL

The protocol for this systematic review was pre-registered with PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42022361088) and published in BMJ Open (PMID 31831540).

Midazolam versus dexamethasone-ondansetron in preventing post-operative nausea-vomiting in patients undergoing laparoscopic surgeries

BACKGROUND

Midazolam reduces post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV) when compared to a placebo or when used as an adjuvant to other antiemetics. The present study was designed to compare midazolam with a combination of dexamethasone-ondansetron in preventing PONV.

METHODS

One hundred and twenty patients undergoing laparoscopic surgeries having 2 or more risk factors for PONV (simplified Apfel score) were randomised into 2 groups of 60 each. Patients in group D received 8-mg dexamethasone and 4-mg ondansetron for PONV prophylaxis while those in group M received 2-mg midazolam towards the end of surgery. The proportion of patients (frequency) who had PONV, post-operative nausea (PON) and post-operative vomiting (POV) was noted over 24 hours over the following intervals: 0-2 hours, 2-24 hours and 0-24 hours.

RESULTS

The frequency of PONV at 24 hours in group D and group M was 30% and 33.3% respectively and was not significantly different (P = .70). There was no difference in the time to achieve post-anaesthesia discharge score of ≥9 between the two groups {5 minutes (5, 5) in group D; 5 minutes (1.25, 5) in group M, P = .48}. Ten patients in group D and 11 in group M required a rescue antiemetic over 24 hours (P = .81). The frequency of PON, POV and PONV as well as the median PONV score was similar at all time periods.

CONCLUSION

Midazolam does not result in significantly different frequency of PONV than a combination of dexamethasone-ondansetron.

Multimodal general anesthesia approach for Ex Utero Intrapartum Therapy (EXIT) procedures: two case reports

High-dose volatile anesthesia is the most common method of achieving uterine relaxation for Ex Utero Intrapartum Therapy (EXIT) procedures. Other methods employ nitroglycerin for additional uterine relaxation with or without remifentanil for additional fetal analgesia. We report a combination approach including one minimum alveolar concentration of volatile anesthetic plus nitroglycerin and remifentanil infusions, to provide timely uterine relaxation under general anesthesia for both mother and fetus, during two EXIT procedures.

WITHDRAWN: Drugs for preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting

BACKGROUND

Drugs can prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting, but their relative efficacies and side effects have not been compared within one systematic review.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this review was to assess the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting by drugs and the development of any side effects.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library, Issue 2, 2004), MEDLINE (January 1966 to May 2004), EMBASE (January 1985 to May 2004), CINAHL (1982 to May 2004), AMED (1985 to May 2004), SIGLE (to May 2004), ISI WOS (to May 2004), LILAC (to May 2004) and INGENTA bibliographies.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included randomized controlled trials that compared a drug with placebo or another drug, or compared doses or timing of administration, that reported postoperative nausea or vomiting as an outcome.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two authors independently assessed trial quality and extracted outcome data.

MAIN RESULTS

We included 737 studies involving 103,237 people. Compared to placebo, eight drugs prevented postoperative nausea and vomiting: droperidol, metoclopramide, ondansetron, tropisetron, dolasetron, dexamethasone, cyclizine and granisetron. Publication bias makes evidence for differences among these drugs unreliable. The relative risks (RR) versus placebo varied between 0.60 and 0.80, depending upon the drug and outcome. Evidence for side effects was sparse: droperidol was sedative (RR 1.32) and headache was more common after ondansetron (RR 1.16).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Either nausea or vomiting is reported to affect, at most, 80 out of 100 people after surgery. If all 100 of these people are given one of the listed drugs, about 28 would benefit and 72 would not. Nausea and vomiting are usually less common and, therefore, drugs are less useful. For 100 people, of whom 30 would vomit or feel sick after surgery if given placebo, 10 people would benefit from a drug and 90 would not. Between one to five patients out of every 100 people may experience a mild side effect, such as sedation or headache, when given an antiemetic drug. Collaborative research should focus on determining whether antiemetic drugs cause more severe, probably rare, side effects. Further comparison of the antiemetic effect of one drug versus another is not a research priority.

Postoperative nausea and vomiting: physiopathology, risk factors, prophylaxis and treatment

Recognising the importance of the prevention and early treatment of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is essential to avoid postoperative complications, improve patient satisfaction and enable the development of major outpatient surgery and fast-track surgery. The topic of PONV might seem to have become stagnant, but we are moving forward. New concepts and problems like post-discharge nausea and vomiting, new risk factors and new drugs are appearing. However, there continue to be mistaken notions about PONV, such as the association between PONV and post-anaesthesia care unit stays, or assuming that it is a risk factore characteristic of the patient, anaesthesia or surgery when it is not. Perhaps, now is the moment to tackle PONV in a different manner, implementing guidelines and going for more aggressive prophylaxis in some groups of patients. We present an extensive review of this topic.

Prophylactic antiemetic effect of midazolam after middle ear surgery

Objective

To investigate the prophylactic antiemetic effect of midazolam after middle ear surgery.

Study Design

A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Subjects and Methods

Ninety women patients undergoing middle ear surgery with general anesthesia received intravenously either midazolam 0.075 mg/kg or normal saline (n = 45 each) after induction of anesthesia. The incidence and severity of postoperative nausea and vomiting, rescue antiemetics, pain intensity, and side effects such as headache, dizziness, and drowsiness were assessed during the first 24 hours after anesthesia.

Results

Midazolam groups showed total incidence and severity of nausea and vomiting. Patients who required rescue antiemetics were significantly lower than in saline group ( P < 0.05), but there were no significant differences in pain intensity and side effects such as headache, dizziness, and drowsiness between groups.

Conclusions

Midazolam 0.075 mg/kg is effective for reducing nausea and vomiting after middle ear surgery.

Ramosetron, midazolam, and combination of ramosetron and midazolam for prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting: A prospective, randomized, double-blind study

Objective

To compare the efficacy of ramosetron, midazolam, and the combination of ramosetron and midazolam in the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in female patients undergoing thyroidectomy.

Methods

Patients were randomized to receive 0.3 mg ramosetron (Group R), 75 µg/kg midazolam (Group M) or 0.3 mg ramosetron combined with 75 µg/kg midazolam (Group RM) before the induction of anaesthesia. PONV, use of rescue antiemetics, pain severity and fentanyl consumption were assessed for 24 h after thyroidectomy.

Results

A total of 100 patients were enrolled; 94 patients completed the study. The severity of nausea was statistically significantly reduced at 0–2 h in Group RM compared with Groups R and M, and at 2–6 h in Group RM compared with Group M. The incidence of retching and vomiting was significantly lower at 0–2 h, 2–6 h, 6–12 h in Group RM than in Group M, and lower in Group R than Group M at 6–12 h. The requirement for rescue antiemetics was significantly lower at 0–2 h in group RM than in group M.

Conclusion

The combination therapy of ramosetron and midazolam provided superior antiemetic efficacy compared with midazolam single therapy, but did not show any significant additional benefits compared with ramosetron single therapy.

Postoperative nausea and vomiting after myringoplasty under continuous sedation using midazolam with or without remifentanil

PURPOSE

This prospective study evaluated the effects of continuous sedation using midazolam, with or without remifentanil, on postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in patients undergoing myringoplasty.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixty patients undergoing myringoplasty were sedated with midazolam in the presence of remifentanil (group MR), or after saline injection instead of remifentanil (group M).

RESULTS

Three patients (10%) in group M complained of nausea; two vomited. Four patients (13%) in group MR complained of nausea and vomited within 24 h after surgery. Rescue drugs were given to the six patients who vomited. No significant difference was detected between the two groups regarding the incidence or severity of nausea, incidence of vomiting, or need for rescue drugs.

CONCLUSION

Midazolam-based continuous sedation can reduce PONV after myringoplasty. Compared with midazolam alone, midazolam with remifentanil produced no difference in the incidence or severity of nausea, incidence of vomiting, or need for rescue drugs.

Antiemetic effects of midazolam added to fentanyl-ropivacaine patient-controlled epidural analgesia after subtotal gastrectomy: A prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Nausea and vomiting are frequent adverse effects of patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) with opioids.

OBJECTIVE

This study was designed to assess the antiemetic effect of midazolam added to fentanyl-ropivacaine PCEA.

METHODS

In a prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled trial, smoking patients with gastric cancer undergoing elective subtotal gastrectomy were evenly allocated to 1 of 2 treatment groups to manage postoperative pain: 0.2% ropivacaine mixed with fentanyl 4 μg/mL and midazolam 0.2 mg/mL (test group) or 0.2% ropivacaine mixed with fentanyl 4 μg/mL (control group). The PCEA infusion was set to deliver 4 μL/h of the study solution, with a bolus of 2 mL per demand and a 15-minute lockout time. The incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), pain intensity, sedation score, usage of rescue analgesia and rescue antiemetic, respiratory depression, urinary retention, and pruritus were recorded at 2, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours after surgery. Total infused volume of PCEA at 72 hours after surgery was measured.

RESULTS

A total of 60 patients were approached and randomized to treatment. No patients were excluded by exclusion criteria and all enrolled patients completed this study. Incidence of nausea (7% vs 33%; P = 0.02) in the test group was significantly lower than in the control group. The overall frequency of PONV in the test group was significantly less than that of the control group (7% vs 40%; P = 0.006). In addition, the mean (SD) infused volume of PCEA in the test group was significantly lower than that in the control group (392.3 [68.9] vs 351.2 [49.8] mL; P = 0.01). However, there were no significant differences in pain intensity, usage of rescue antiemetics and rescue analgesics, and mild pruritus between groups. No patient reported moderate or severe sedation, respiratory depression, or hypoxemia. In addition, there were no severe adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS

Midazolam added to fentanyl-ropivacaine PCEA was associated with a significant reduction in the incidence of PONV compared with fentanyl-ropivacaine alone, and a significant decrease in the amount of PCEA administered without a significant increase in adverse events in these patients who underwent subtotal gastrectomy.

Anti-Emetic Effect of Midazolam Added to Morphine Patient-Controlled Analgesia After Total Abdominal Hysterectomy

Nausea and vomiting are frequent adverse effects of patient-controlled analgesia with opioids. This study was designed to compare the effect of midazolam to that of ondansetron for prevention of nausea and vomiting during morphine patient-controlled analgesia. In a randomised, double-blind, prospective trial, 90 patients were allocated to one of three groups of 30 each, to receive one of three patient-controlled analgesia regimens to manage postoperative pain: a combination of midazolam and morphine (group M), a mixture of ondansetron and morphine (group O) or morphine alone (group C). Patients were assessed for the incidence of nausea and vomiting, the degree of sedation (awake, mild, moderate, deep) and other side-effects during the first 24 hours after the operation. The frequency of nausea and vomiting was significantly lower in groups M (27%) and O (37%) compared with group C (70%) (P <0.05). The incidence of mild sedation in group M was significantly higher than that in groups O or C (P <0.05). We conclude that midazolam is as effective as ondansetron in preventing opioid-induced nausea and vomiting following total abdominal hysterectomy and has acceptable side-effects.

Adverse events and behavioral reactions related to ketamine based anesthesia for anorectal manometry in children

BACKGROUND

Pediatric patients undergoing anorectal manometry require ketamine anesthesia as other anesthetic agents affect the anorectal sphincter tone. The aim of this prospective observational audit was to evaluate our practice and report the occurrence of adverse events and behavioral reactions related to the use of ketamine, propofol, and midazolam combinations.

METHODS

Eighty-two consecutive pediatric patients (mean age 8.06 +/- 3.43 years) undergoing anorectal manometry were audited over a 1-year period. After a routine ketamine anesthetic some children were administered midazolam 0.1 mg.kg(-1), at the discretion of the attending anesthetist. Children requiring anal stretch following manometry studies also received propofol 3-5 mg.kg(-1). Intra- and postoperative adverse events, times to spontaneous awakening and discharge from the PACU were noted. Postoperative behavioral reactions were noted in the PACU and at follow-up interviews on the first postoperative day and after a period of 1 month.

RESULTS

Following completion of the audit, all patients fell into one of the four groups depending on the anesthetic agents they received: K (ketamine only, n = 16), KM (ketamine and midazolam, n = 10), KP (ketamine and propofol, n = 27), and KPM (ketamine, propofol, and midazolam, n = 29). There was no difference in the occurrence of behavioral reactions between the four groups at the three stages of follow-up. Overall, five patients reported 'new onset' nightmares that had resolved completely at the 3-month follow-up. The time to spontaneous awakening was shorter for K group (17.8 min +/- 20.2) vs KPM group (61.7 min +/- 24.4; P < 0.001). The times to discharge in minutes was also shorter in the K group (54.5 min, IQR 30-75 vs 90 min IQR 78-120; P < 0.001). Administration of propofol appeared to have an antiemetic effect [odds ratio (OR) 0.1, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.02-0.58, P < 0.009] in the recovery unit.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study findings suggest that, besides significantly prolonging time to spontaneous awakening and PACU discharge, neither the use of midazolam, propofol, or combinations is beneficial in preventing the occurrence of behavioral reactions following ketamine anesthesia. Behavioral reactions were common but did not appear to be long-term. Drug combinations with ketamine may have other benefits such as antiemesis.

Drugs for preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting

BACKGROUND

Drugs can prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting, but their relative efficacies and side effects have not been compared within one systematic review.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this review was to assess the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting by drugs and the development of any side effects.

SEARCH STRATEGY

We searched The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library, Issue 2, 2004), MEDLINE (January 1966 to May 2004), EMBASE (January 1985 to May 2004), CINAHL (1982 to May 2004), AMED (1985 to May 2004), SIGLE (to May 2004), ISI WOS (to May 2004), LILAC (to May 2004) and INGENTA bibliographies.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included randomized controlled trials that compared a drug with placebo or another drug, or compared doses or timing of administration, that reported postoperative nausea or vomiting as an outcome.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two authors independently assessed trial quality and extracted outcome data.

MAIN RESULTS

We included 737 studies involving 103,237 people. Compared to placebo, eight drugs prevented postoperative nausea and vomiting: droperidol, metoclopramide, ondansetron, tropisetron, dolasetron, dexamethasone, cyclizine and granisetron. Publication bias makes evidence for differences among these drugs unreliable. The relative risks (RR) versus placebo varied between 0.60 and 0.80, depending upon the drug and outcome. Evidence for side effects was sparse: droperidol was sedative (RR 1.32) and headache was more common after ondansetron (RR 1.16).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Either nausea or vomiting is reported to affect, at most, 80 out of 100 people after surgery. If all 100 of these people are given one of the listed drugs, about 28 would benefit and 72 would not. Nausea and vomiting are usually less common and, therefore, drugs are less useful. For 100 people, of whom 30 would vomit or feel sick after surgery if given placebo, 10 people would benefit from a drug and 90 would not. Between one to five patients out of every 100 people may experience a mild side effect, such as sedation or headache, when given an antiemetic drug. Collaborative research should focus on determining whether antiemetic drugs cause more severe, probably rare, side effects. Further comparison of the antiemetic effect of one drug versus another is not a research priority.

Subcutaneous emphysema following severe vomiting after emerging from general anesthesia

Postoperative nausea and vomiting-related subcutaneous emphysema is an unexpected complication, especially after uneventful surgery and anesthesia. Here we report and discuss two cases of subcutaneous emphysema following severe retching and vomiting which resolved spontaneously after several days.