Granisetron reduces incidence of nausea and vomiting after breast surgery

Granisetron and Ondansetron for Prevention of Nausea and Vomiting in Patients Undergoing Modified Radical Mastectomy

Modified radical mastectomy is associated with a relatively high incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). This study was undertaken to evaluate the comparative profile and efficacy of ondansetron and granisetron to prevent PONV after modified radical mastectomy. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, sixty female patients received ondansetron 4 mg, granisetron 1 mg or saline intravenously just before induction of anaesthesia (n=20 for each group). A standardized general anaesthetic technique was employed. The incidence of PONV and adverse events were recorded for the first 24h postoperatively. The incidence of PONV was 25% with ondansetron, 20% with granisetron and 70% with saline (P<0.05, Chi-square test with Yates’ correction factor). The incidence of adverse events was comparable among the groups. Ondansetron and granisetron are both effective for reducing the incidence of PONV in female patients undergoing modified radical mastectomy.

WITHDRAWN: Drugs for preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting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.

Effects of ondansetron and granisetron on postoperative nausea and vomiting in adult patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) are common and potentially distressing adverse events (AEs) associated with surgery and anesthesia. In patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) without antiemetic prophylaxis, the incidence of PONV can be as high as 72%.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the prophylactic antiemetic effects of ondansetron and granisetron in patients undergoing LC when these agents are administered before the end of surgery.

METHODS

Patients classified by the American Society of Anesthesiologist's physical status as I or II who were scheduled for elective LC were included in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Anesthesia was induced with thiopental 5 mg/kg and fentanyl 2 μg/kg, and was maintained with isoflurane 1% to 3% in 50% oxygen and 50% nitrous oxide and fentanyl as needed. Approximately 20 to 30 minutes before the end of the surgery, the patients randomly received either IV ondansetron 100 μg/kg (group O), IV granisetron 40 μg/kg (group G), or normal saline (group P). Plasma levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were determined preoperatively and 24 hours postoperatively. The patients were observed for 24 hours for PONV and other possible AEs. Postoperative pain intensity was determined using a 10-cm visual analogue scale. Four-point satisfaction scores were determined at 24 hours.

RESULTS

Ninety patients (69 women, 21 men) participated in the study. Demographic characteristics and operative data (duration of surgery and anesthesia and amount of intraoperative fentanyl) were similar in the 3 groups. The only AE reported by patients during the 24-hour observation period was nonsevere headache. The number of patients experiencing headache was similar in group P, group O, and group G (10 [33%] patients, 6 [20%], and 10 [33%], respectively). No significant changes were found in presurgical and postsurgical plasma levels of ALT and AST in any group. The mean (SD) satisfaction scores in group O and group G (3.0 [0.4] and 3.0 [0.6], respectively) were significantly higher than those in group P (2.5 [0.5]; both, P < 0.01). Immediately after surgery (period 0), significantly more patients in the placebo group (21 [70%]) experienced PONV compared with those in the ondansetron group (9 [30%]; P < 0.05) and the granisetron group (7 [23%]; P < 0.01). During the 24-hour observation period, a significantly greater number of patients in group P (18 [60%]) required a single dose of a rescue antiemetic drug compared with those in groups O and G (9 [30%] and 6 [20%], respectively; both, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients administered ondansetron 100 μg/kg or granisetron 40 μg/kg 20 to 30 minutes before the end of LC had significantly higher PONV control during the 24-hour postoperative observation period than patients receiving placebo. However, there were no significant differences between the active treatment groups in the incidence of PONV, patient satisfaction, or AEs.

A network meta-analysis on the efficacy of serotonin type 3 receptor antagonists used in adults during the first 24 hours for postoperative nausea and vomiting prophylaxis

BACKGROUND

The serotonin type 3 receptor antagonists (5-HT(3) antagonists) ondansetron, granisetron, tropisetron, and dolasetron are potential prophylactic agents for patients with mild to moderate risk of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). A few trials have been conducted to compare the efficacy among 2 to 3 of these 4 agents. However, the comparative efficacy of all four 5-HT(3) antagonists has not yet been quantitatively investigated.

OBJECTIVE

The goal of this study was to investigate whether the 5-HT(3) antagonists--ondansetron, granisetron, tropisetron, and dolasetron-differ in efficacy when used for the prevention of PONV.

METHODS

PubMed and the Cochrane Library were searched for randomized controlled, double-blind studies measuring efficacy in terms of PONV prophylaxis. A Bayesian meta-analysis was conducted using published studies of 5-HT(3) antagonists for PONV prophylaxis. The odds of patients with no PONV and postoperative vomiting (POV) within each study arm 24 hours after surgery were the primary indices of drug efficacy. Data were extracted and analyzed via indirect comparisons using random effects Bayesian models in WinBUGS version 1.4.3.

RESULTS

A total of 85 studies were identified, representing 15,269 patients. The results indicate that granisetron was significantly better than ondansetron (odds ratio [OR] = 1.53 [95% credible interval (CI), 1.15-2.00]) and dolasetron (OR = 1.67 [95% CI, 1.12-2.38]) in preventing PONV. Four antiemetic drugs had comparable efficacy in terms of preventing POV: granisetron showed similar efficacy compared with ondansetron (OR = 1.49 [95% CI, 0.90-2.43]), tropisetron (OR = 1.69 [95% CI, 0.92-3.13]), and dolasetron (OR = 1.32 [95% CI, 0.71-2.38]). Ondansetron exhibited comparable efficacy compared with tropisetron (OR = 1.14 [95% CI, 0.66-1.96]) and dolasetron (OR = 0.88 [95% CI, 0.51-1.47]). Tropisetron and dolasetron were also similar in efficacy (OR = 0.78 [95% CI, 0.40-1.45]). All 5-HT(3) antagonists were statistically significantly better at preventing PONV or POV than placebo.

CONCLUSIONS

With respect to PONV prophylaxis, granisetron was significantly better than ondansetron and dolasetron; ondansetron, tropisetron, and dolasetron exhibited similar efficacy. With respect to POV prophylaxis, ondansetron, granisetron, tropisetron, and dolasetron seemed to have comparable efficacy.

Randomized double blind comparative study comparing efficacy of granisetron and ondansetron for the prophylactic control of postoperative nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing middle ear surgery

The objective is to evaluate the prophylactic profile, efficacy of granisetron and ondansetron to prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) after middle ear surgery. In a randomized, double blind trial, one hundred patients undergoing middle ear surgery received either granisetron 1 mg or ondansetron 8 mg in equal volume (n = 50 for each) intravenously towards the end of surgery and before reversal of anaesthesia. A standard general anaesthetic technique was employed. Postoperatively, during the first 24 h after anaesthesia, the incidence of PONV, recovery score, time to first feeding, willingness to have the same prophylactic antiemetic drug in future and adverse events were recorded. The incidence of vomiting once (PONV score 2) was significantly less, 4% with granisetron and 22% with ondansetron (P = 0.002) respectively and the incidence of vomiting twice or more times in 30 min interval (PONV score 3) was significantly less, 8% with granisetron as compared to 34% with ondansetron (P = 0.001). The requirement of rescue antiemetic drug was significantly higher in ondansetron group, i.e. 34 vs. 8% in granisetron group (P = 0.001). The incidence of adverse events, recovery score and time to first feeding were comparable among the groups. Willingness to have the same prophylactic antiemetic drug in future was significantly high in patients receiving granisetron. Granisetron is more efficacious and desirable drug than ondansetron for reducing the incidence of PONV in patients undergoing middle ear surgery.

Management of postoperative nausea and vomiting in women scheduled for breast cancer surgery

Breast cancer surgery performed under general anesthesia is associated with a high incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). A number of approaches are available for the management of PONV after breast cancer surgery. First, the risk factors related to patient characteristics, surgical procedure, anesthetic technique, and postoperative care can be reduced. More specifically, the use of propofol-based anesthesia can reduce the incidence of PONV. Secondly, a wide range of prophylactic antiemetics, including butyrophenones (droperidol), benzamides (metoclopramide), glucocorticoids (dexamethasone), clonidine, a small dose of propofol, and serotonin receptor (SR) antagonists (ondansetron, granisetron, tropisetron, dolasetron, ramosetron, and palonosetron), are available for preventing PONV. Thirdly, antiemetic therapy combined with granisetron and droperidol or dexamethasone, and a multimodal management strategy which includes a package consisting of dexamethasone, total intravenous anesthesia with propofol, and ondansetron are highly effective in preventing PONV. Unfortunately, the use of glucocorticoids and SR antagonists for preventing PONV is not permitted in Japan according to national health insurance guidelines. Fourth, electro-acupoint stimulation at the P6 point (Nei-Guwan) as a non-pharmacologic therapy is as effective as ondansetron for preventing PONV. Knowledge of the risk factors for PONV, antiemetics, and a non-pharmacologic approach are needed for the management of PONV in women undergoing breast cancer surgery.

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.

Prophylaxis of Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting in Patients Scheduled for Breast Surgery

Breast surgery performed under general anaesthesia is associated with a high incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). Between 60% and 80% of patients undergoing mastectomy (with axillary dissection) experience PONV. Pharmacological approaches have been investigated to reduce PONV after breast surgery. Traditional antiemetics (droperidol and metoclopramide) are frequently used for the prevention of PONV during the first 24 hours after anaesthesia. The available non-traditional antiemetics that have been shown to be effective for prophylaxis against PONV are dexamethasone, clonidine, propofol and supplemental oxygen. Antiserotonins (ondansetron, granisetron, tropisetron, dolasetron and ramosetron) are highly effective for preventing PONV for 24 hours postoperatively, compared with traditional antiemetics. Ramosetron is effective for the long-term (up to 48 hours) prevention of PONV. Better results can be obtained by combining antiemetics, because they have different sites of action. Combination antiemetic therapy is often effective for preventing PONV after breast surgery. Combinations of an antiserotonin (granisetron or dolasetron) and droperidol or dexamethasone are more effective than monotherapy with antiserotonins. A non-pharmacological technique is acupuncture at the P6 (Nei-Kuan) point. Overall, these pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches reduce the incidence of PONV following breast surgery. Most of the published trials indicate improved prophylaxis of PONV following breast surgery by avoiding risk factors, and by using effective antiemetic agents in women scheduled for mastectomy (with axillary dissection). The clinician must weigh the benefits of using pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches for PONV against the risk of occurrence of adverse events.

Benefits and Risks of Granisetron Versus Ramosetron for Nausea and Vomiting after Breast Surgery: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Women undergoing general anesthesia for breast surgery are at particular risk of postoperative nausea and vomiting. In a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial, 90 patients scheduled for breast surgery, aged 33-63 years, received intravenously placebo, 3 mg granisetron, or 0.3 mg ramosetron (n = 30 of each) at the end of surgical procedure. A standard general anesthetic technique and postoperative analgesia were used. Emetic episodes and safety assessment were performed during 0-24 hours and 24-48 hours after anesthesia. The rate of patients experiencing emetic symptoms (nausea, retching, vomiting) 0-24 hours after anesthesia was 17% with granisetron (P = 0.013) and 10% with ramosetron (P = 0.002) compared with placebo (47%); the corresponding rate 24-48 hours after anesthesia was 27% (P = 0.032) and 7% (P = 0.001), compared with placebo (53%). In the 24-48 hours after anesthesia, there were fewer emetic episodes in patients who had received ramosetron than in those who had received granisetron (P = 0.039). The severity of nausea was less in patients receiving ramosetron than in those receiving granisetron (P = 0.044). Zero to 24 hours after anesthesia, no difference in the rate of patients having emetic symptoms and the severity of nausea was observed between the granisetron and ramosetron groups. The most common reported adverse events were headache and dizziness, and there were no difference in the incidence of adverse events due to the study drug among the 3 groups. In conclusion, prophylactic therapy with ramosetron is more effective than that with granisetron for the long-term prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting in women undergoing general anesthesia for breast surgery.

A comparison of granisetron, droperidol, and metoclopramide in the treatment of established nausea and vomiting after breast surgery: a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Women undergoing breast surgery are at particular risk for post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV), with an incidence of emesis as high as 50% when no prophylactic antiemetic is used.

OBJECTIVE

This study compared the efficacy of the selective 5-hydroxytryptamine(3) receptor antagonist granisetron with that of the traditional antiemetics droperidol and metoclopramide in the treatment of established PONV after breast surgery.

METHODS

In this prospective, randomized, double-blind trial, patients who had undergone breast surgery and were experiencing PONV during the first 3 hours after anesthesia received either granisetron 40 microg/kg IV, droperidol 20 microg/kg IV, or metoclopramide 0.2 mg/kg IV. Patients were observed for 24 hours after administration of study drug. Emetic episodes were recorded by nursing staff who were blinded to treatment assignment.

RESULTS

Seventy-five patients were enrolled in the study, 25 in each treatment group. Their age ranged from 41 to 65 years. There were no significant between-group differences in patients' demographic or surgical characteristics at study entry. The number of patients who were emesis free (no nausea, retching, or vomiting) was significantly higher in patients who received granisetron (88% [2225]) than in those who received droperidol (64% [1625]; P = 0.047) or metoclopramide (56% [1425]; P = 0.013). In patients who experienced nausea (3, 8, and 9 patients in the granisetron, droperidol, and metoclopramide groups, respectively), the severity of nausea was significantly lower with granisetron compared with droperidol (P = 0.028) and metoclopramide (P = 0.025). No clinically serious adverse events were observed in any group.

CONCLUSION

Granisetron was significantly more effective than the traditional antiemetics droperidol and metoclopramide for the treatment of PONV in this population of patients undergoing breast surgery.

Does Intravenous Dexamethasone Prevent Nausea and Vomiting after Reduction Mammoplasty?

Background

Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is a common and unpleasant experience for patients after reduction mammoplasty. PONV may delay discharge from hospital. Dexamethasone is an effective and widely used antiemetic.

Objectives

This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of dexamethasone as a single antiemetic agent to reduce the incidence of PONV in patients undergoing reduction mammoplasty.

Methods

Fifty women scheduled for reduction mammoplasty were randomly assigned to receive either intravenous dexamethasone 0.150 mg/kg or saline before the induction of anesthesia. Postoperative analgesia was provided with intravenous morphine via a patient controlled device and rectally administered indomethacin. The presence or absence of nausea, retching and vomiting, and pain scores were assessed upon arrival in the postanesthesia care unit and at 2, 6, 8 and 12 h, and by phone interview at 24 and 48 h after surgery.

Results

The two groups were comparable in terms of age, history of motion sickness, duration of anesthesia and opioid consumption, both intraoperatively and postoperatively. There was no difference in the incidence of PONV between the two groups, but the patients who received dexamethasone required fewer doses of rescue antiemetic medication.

Conclusion

Intravenous dexamethasone before the induction of anesthesia is ineffective as a single agent antiemetic prophylactic treatment in patients undergoing reduction mammoplasty.

Prophylactic antiemetic efficacy of granisetron or ramosetron in patients undergoing thyroidectomy

OBJECTIVE

Thyroidectomy is associated with a high incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), ranging from 60% to 84%. We conducted this study to compare the antiemetic effects and safety of granisetron 20 micro g/kg and ramosetron 4 micro g/kg in patients undergoing elective thyroidectomy under standard anaesthetic technique.

METHODS

One hundred and thirteen patients were randomized to receive placebo (n = 41), granisetron 20 nug/kg (n = 36) or ramosetron 4 micro g/kg (n = 36) intravenously over 2-5 minutes immediately before the induction of anaesthesia. The incidence of PONV, nausea severity score (NSS), adverse events and the need for rescue antiemetics were assessed during the first 1 hour (0-1 h) and following 23 hours (1-24 h) after anaesthesia.

RESULTS

During the first hour after anaesthesia, the incidence of PONV was 36.6% for placebo, 11.1% for granisetron (p = 0.012 vs placebo) and 25.0% for ramosetron. During 1 hour to 23 hours after anaesthesia, the incidence of PONV was 51.2% for placebo, 30.6% for granisetron and 41.7% for ramosetron. There were no significant differences between the three groups. Overall (0-24 h), the corresponding incidence of PONV were 61.0%, 30.6% and 50.0%, respectively, showing a significantly lower value in the granisetron group than in the placebo group (p = 0.008). The incidence of vomiting and rescue antiemetic requirement during the first 24 hours after anaesthesia was significantly lower with the granisetron group than with placebo (p = 0.021 and 0.030, respectively). The most common adverse events in the three groups were headache and dizziness.

CONCLUSION

Only granisetron 20 micro g/kg was superior to placebo for the prevention of PONV after thyroidectomy.

The influence of a dominating centre on a quantitative systematic review of granisetron for preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting

BACKGROUND

We performed a meta-analysis on granisetron in the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) and further investigated whether total results and the dose-response characteristics may be significantly affected by a single centre.

METHODS

Systematically searched randomised controlled trials (RCT) using granisetron for the prevention of PONV after general anaesthesia were included in the analysis. The pooled relative risks (RR) and numbers needed to treat (NNT) with their corresponding 95%-confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. For all centres, one dominating centre and other centres pooled, comparisons were performed according to all doses, low dose (<or=20 microg/kg) and high dose (>20 microg/kg) granisetron.

RESULTS

A total of 27 RCT with 2938 patients were included in the analysis. RR (CI) to suffer from PONV with granisetron when all comparisons were considered was 0.46 (0.39-0.54), 0.7 (0.6-0.81) and 0.34 (0.28-0.41) for all doses, low and high dose, respectively. RR of the dominating centre (1867 patients) were significantly better compared to the remaining centres (1071 patients), with 0.41 (0.34-0.49) and 0.60 (0.49-0.73), respectively. In the dominating centre low dose granisetron was ineffective with a RR of 0.84 (0.68-1.04), while high dose granisetron led to a strong decrease with a RR of 0.30 (0.26-0.36). In contrast, the RR of other centres pooled for low and high dose granisetron were comparable with 0.62 (0.49-0.79) and 0.56 (0.42-0.75), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall results and dose-response characteristics of meta-analyses may be significantly altered by one dominating centre. Further, if data of a dominating centre do not appear to be valid for other centres, it may seem advisable to either exclude them from the analysis or to perform sub-group analyses so that results without the data from the dominating centre are available.

Preoperative ropivacaine infiltration in breast surgery

PURPOSE

The aim of the study was to investigate whether preoperative infiltration with ropivacaine in conjunction with breast surgery improves postoperative pain management and attenuates postoperative nausea and vomiting.

METHOD

Prospective, randomised, double-blind study, including 60 healthy women (ASA 1-2) allocated to one of two groups. Thirty patients were given 0.3 ml/kg saline in the operating field before surgery. Another 30 patients received a similar volume of ropivacaine 3.75 mg/ml. A visual analogue scale (0-100 mm) was used for evaluation of postoperative pain, nausea and vomiting. If the score was more than 30 mm at rest, the patients were given ketobemidone i.v. as treatment for postoperative pain, and dixyrazine i.v. against nausea and vomiting. The intra-and postoperative analgesic requirements and postoperative nausea and vomiting were registered.

RESULTS

The intraoperative fentanyl consumption was similar in the saline group 81 +/- 22 microg vs 76 +/- 28 microg; (ns) in the ropivacaine group. The postoperative 24-h ketobemidone consumption was also similar to those treated with ropivacaine (4.2 +/- 2.6 mg vs 4.2 +/- 4.3 mg; ns). Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) occurred with similar frequencies in both groups. The 24-h dixyrazine consumption was the same in the two groups (2.1 +/- 2.7 mg in the saline group compared to 2.4 +/- 2.8 mg in the ropivacaine group; ns). After 6 h recovery, 41% of all patients had experienced nausea and 20% vomiting.

CONCLUSION

We found no differences in postoperative pain management between 3.75 mg/ml ropivacaine and saline wound infiltration before breast surgery. The data show similar postoperative needs of analgesics and antiemetics with a similar frequency of PONV.

Postoperative nausea and vomiting after breast surgery: efficacy of prophylactic ondansetron and droperidol in a randomized placebo-controlled study

Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is a common adverse phenomenon following breast surgery. The efficacy of ondansetron and droperidol in preventing post-operative nausea and vomiting in women undergoing breast surgery was compared in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Altogether 207 women were randomly assigned to receive either a single intravenous dose of droperidol (1.25 mg) (n = 69), ondansetron (8 mg) (n = 67) or saline (n = 71) immediately after induction of general anaesthesia with thiopental, fentanyl, atracurium, nitrous oxide in oxygen and isoflurane. Complaints of nausea, vomiting and requests for rescue antiemetics were recorded during a 24-h period postoperatively. During the initial 2 h in the postanaesthesia care unit, the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting was 15%, 6% and 12% in the placebo, droperidol and ondansetron groups, respectively (NS). The incidence of post-operative nausea and vomiting during the first 24 h was 61%, 48% and 45% in the placebo, droperidol and ondansetron treatment groups, respectively (NS). Postoperative analgesic requirements and the length of stay in the post-anaesthesia care unit were equal in all three treatment groups. It is concluded that the intravenous pretreatment with single doses of ondansetron or droperidol did not substantially prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting after breast surgery.

The safety and efficacy of prophylactic ondansetron in patients undergoing modified radical mastectomy

We aimed to evaluate the antiemetic efficacy, safety, and clinical utility of prophylactic ondansetron administered at the end of the surgery for the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in a homogenous population of 54 women undergoing modified radical mastectomy (MRM). A standard general anesthetic and perioperative analgesic technique were used. After surgery, patients received either saline placebo or ondansetron 4 mg IV. Episodes of PONV, as well as rescue antiemetic requirements, were recorded for the first 24 h after surgery. The 24-h incidence of PONV (33.3% vs 81.5%; P = 0.0010) was significantly lower in the ondansetron group. The severity of PONV, evaluated by the number of emetic episodes per patient (1.59+/-1.90 vs 0.29+/-0.66; P = 0.0029), and the rescue antiemetic requirement (59.2% vs 14.8%; P = 0.0019) was significantly lower, in the ondansetron group. Patient satisfaction scores and number needed to prevent PONV (2.07) were significantly better and therapeutically more favorable in the ondansetron group. The incidence of adverse events such as headache, dizziness, and increased liver enzyme levels (number needed to harm = infinity) was similar in both groups. Administered at the end of the surgery in adult female patients undergoing general anesthesia for MRM, ondansetron 4 mg is effective and safe in preventing PONV. We recommend the clinical practice of routine prophylactic ondansetron to prevent PONV after MRM, as it significantly improves perioperative patient satisfaction and outcome.

IMPLICATIONS

We evaluated the antiemetic efficacy, safety, and routine use of prophylactic ondansetron, a "gold standard" antiemetic, in women undergoing radical breast surgery who were at a high risk of postoperative vomiting. We analyzed more meaningful "true" and "therapeutic" outcome measures, and we conclude that prophylactic ondansetron is safe and effective and that its routine use is justified.

Prophylactic antiemetic therapy with granisetron-dexamethasone combination in women undergoing breast surgery

BACKGROUND

Dexamethasone decreases chemotherapy-induced emesis when added to an antiemetic regimen. This study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of granisetron-dexamethasone combination for the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in female patients undergoing general anaesthesia for breast surgery.

METHODS

In a randomized, double-blind manner, 135 ASA I patients, aged 40-65 years, were assigned to receive placebo (saline), granisetron 40 micrograms.kg-1 or granisetron 40 micrograms.kg-1 plus dexamethasone 8 mg i.v. (n = 45 of each) immediately before the induction of anaesthesia. A standard general anaesthetic technique and postoperative analgesia were used. The PONV and safety assessments were performed continuously during the first 3 h (0-3 h) and the next 21 h (3-24 h) after anaesthesia.

RESULTS

A complete response, defined as no PONV and no administration of rescue antiemetic medication, during 0-3 h after anaesthesia was 51%, 82% and 96% in patients who had received placebo, granisetron and granisetron-dexamethasone combination, respectively; the corresponding incidence during 3-24 h after anaesthesia was 56%, 84% and 98% (P < 0.05; overall Fisher's exact probability test). No clinically important adverse events were observed in any of the groups.

CONCLUSION

Prophylactic use of granisetron-dexamethasone combination is more effective than granisetron alone for the prevention of PONV after breast surgery.

Prevention of nausea and vomiting in female patients undergoing breast surgery: a comparison with granisetron, droperidol, metoclopramide and placebo

BACKGROUND

Breast surgery is associated with a relatively high incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). This study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of granisetron, droperidol and metoclopramide for preventing PONV after breast surgery.

METHODS

In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 120 female patients received granisetron 40 micrograms.kg-1, droperidol 1.25 mg, metoclopramide 10 mg or placebo (saline) (n = 30 for each) intravenously immediately before the induction of anaesthesia. A standard general anaesthetic technique was employed throughout. Postoperatively, during the first 24 h after anaesthesia, the incidence of PONV and adverse events was recorded.

RESULTS

The incidence of PONV was 17% with granisetron, 37% with droperidol, 43% with metoclopramide and 50% with placebo (P < 0.05; overall Fisher's exact probability test). The incidence of adverse events was not different among the groups.

CONCLUSION

Granisetron is highly effective for reducing the incidence of PONV in female patients undergoing breast surgery. Droperidol and metoclopramide are ineffective in this population.

Effective dose of granisetron in the reduction of nausea and vomiting after breast surgery

BACKGROUND

Prophylactic use of granisetron, a selective 5-hydroxytryptamine type 3 receptor antagonist, reduces the incidence of nausea and vomiting after breast surgery. This study was undertaken to determine the minimum effective dose of granisetron in the reduction of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in patients undergoing general anaesthesia for breast surgery.

METHODS

In a randomized, double-blind manner, 120 female patients aged 42-66 years were assigned to receive either placebo (saline) or granisetron in a dose of 20 micrograms.kg-1, 40 micrograms.kg-1 and 80 micrograms.kg-1 i.v. immediately before the induction of anaesthesia. A standard general anaesthetic technique was employed throughout. The PONV and safety assessments were performed continuously during the first 24 h after anaesthesia.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences among the groups with regard to patient demographics, surgical procedures, anaesthetics administered and analgesics given. The incidence of PONV was 47%, 43%, 17% and 17% after administration of placebo and granisetron 20 micrograms.kg-1, 40 micrograms.kg-1 and 80 micrograms.kg-1, respectively. Granisetron 40 micrograms.kg-1 was as effective as 80 micrograms.kg-1 and both resulted in significant reductions of the incidence of PONV compared with placebo and granisteron 20 micrograms.kg-1 (P < 0.05). No differences in the incidence of adverse events were observed among the groups.

CONCLUSION

Granisetron 40 micrograms.kg-1 appears to be the minimum effective dose for reducing PONV in patients undergoing general anaesthesia for breast surgery.