Is infusion of subhypnotic propofol as effective as dexamethasone in prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting related to laparoscopic cholecystectomy? A randomized controlled trial

Biomed Res Int. 2015:2015:349806. doi: 10.1155/2015/349806. Epub 2015 Jan 28.

Abstract

Background: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is one of common complications in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of subhypnotic (1 mg/kg/h) infusion of propofol with dexamethasone on PONV in patients undergoing LC.

Methods: A total of 120 patients were included in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Patients were randomly assigned to 3 groups; patients of group dexamethasone (group D) were administrated 8 mg dexamethasone before induction of anesthesia, patients of group propofol (group P) were infused to subhypnotic (1 mg/kg/h) propofol during operation and patients of group control (group C) were applied infusion of 10% intralipid. The incidence of PONV and needs for rescue analgesic and antiemetic were recorded in the first 24 h postoperatively.

Results: In the 0-24 h, the incidence of PONV was significantly lower in the group D and group P compared with the group C (37.5%, 40%, and 72.5%, resp.). There was no significant difference in the incidence of PONV and use of antiemetics and analgesic between group D and group P.

Conclusion: We concluded that infusion of propofol 1 mg/kg/h is as effective as dexamethasone for the prevention of PONV during the first 24 hours after anesthesia in patients undergoing LC.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Antiemetics / administration & dosage*
  • Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic / adverse effects*
  • Dexamethasone / administration & dosage*
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypnotics and Sedatives / administration & dosage*
  • Incidence
  • Infusion Pumps
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting / prevention & control*
  • Propofol / administration & dosage*

Substances

  • Antiemetics
  • Hypnotics and Sedatives
  • Dexamethasone
  • Propofol