The Effects of Propofol Anesthesia or Prophylactic Droperidol on Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting in Patients Undergoing a Gynecologic Laparoscopy

Rho, Shi Youn; Choi, Sae Jin

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is a common complication of a gynecologic laparoscopy. This study was designed to assess the effect of prophylactic droperidol 1 mg or propofol as the induction and maintenance anesthetic agent for prophylaxis of PONV in women undergoing a gynecologic laparoscopy.
METHODS
Eighty ASA physical status 1, 2 patients undergoing an elective gynecologic laparoscopy were randomly allocated into four groups. Group 1 (n = 20) recieved an intravenous placebo of noraml saline 1 ml prior to induction of anesthesia and N2O-enflurane general anesthesia. Group 2 (n = 20) recieved an intravenous placebo of noraml saline 1 ml prior to induction of anesthesia and N2O-propofol general anesthesia. Group 3 (n = 20) recieved intravenous prophylactic droperidol 1 mg prior to induction of anesthesia and N2O-enflurane general anesthesia. Group 4 (n = 20) recieved intravenous prophylactic droperidol 1 mg prior to induction of anesthesia and N2O-propofol general anesthesia.
RESULTS
The incidence and severity of PONV and sedation scores were assessed at 0, 30 min, 1, 3, 6, 24 and 48 hours postoperatively. The incidence of PONV was 75% in group 1, 10% in group 2, 30% in group 3 and 20% in group 4. The incidence of PONV during the first 6 hours postoperatively was 70% in group 1, 0% in group 2, 10% in group 3 and 5% in group 4 and there were no statistical differences among the four groups in the 6 to 24 hour postoperative period. Sedation scores were significantly higher in group 3 and 4 than in 1 and 2 in the 3 to 6 hour postoperative period.
CONCLUSIONS
Propofol anesthesia, prophylactic droperidol 1 mg and a combination to prevent PONV were highly effective during the first 6 hours postoperatively.