Korean J Anesthesiol.  2011 Aug;61(2):154-158. 10.4097/kjae.2011.61.2.154.

The preventative effect of ramosetron on postoperative nausea and vomiting after total thyroidectomy

• Lee DC
• Kwak HJ
• Kim HS
• Choi SH
• Lee JY

• KMID: 1766711
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.2011.61.2.154

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) frequently develops in patients undergoing thyroidectomy, and propofol-based total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) has been reported to reduce the incidence of PONV. The present study was undertaken to compare the effects of ramosetron on PONV in women following total thyroidectomy under TIVA.
METHODS
One hundred and thirty women scheduled for thyroidectomy were allocated to either a control group (n = 65) or a ramosetron group (n = 65). Propofol in combination with remifentanil was used for TIVA in all patients. 2 ml of either intravenous saline (control group) or 0.3 mg of ramosetron (ramosetron group) were administered at the end of the surgery. Fentanyl-based patient-controlled analgesia was implemented for 48 h after surgery in all patients. The incidences and severities of PONV, pain scores, administrations of rescue antiemetics, and the side effects of the antiemetics were documented during the first 48 h after surgery.
RESULTS
The incidences of complete response (no PONV, no rescue) in the control and ramosetron groups were 71% and 88%, respectively, during the first 6 h (P = 0.029), 85% and 94% during the next 6 to 24 h period (P = 0.155), and 97% and 95% during the last 24 to 48 h period (P = 1.00). During the first 6 h, the severity of nausea and the use of rescue antiemetic medication were significantly lower in the ramosetron group.
CONCLUSIONS
Ramosetron was found to be effective at reducing the incidence and severity of postoperative nausea in women that underwent total thyroidectomy with propofol-based TIVA, especially during the first 6 hours postoperatively.

Keyword

Patient-controlled analgesia; Postoperative nausea and vomiting; Propofol; Ramosetron; Thyroidectomy

MeSH Terms

Analgesia, Patient-Controlled
Anesthesia, Intravenous
Antiemetics
Benzimidazoles
Female
Humans
Incidence
Nausea
Piperidines
Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting
Propofol
Thyroidectomy
Antiemetics
Benzimidazoles
Piperidines
Propofol