Comparative Study of Ondansetron Versus Dexamethasone in the Prevention of Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting in Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Under General Anesthesia

Abstract

Introduction: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) have been termed as the “big little problem” for anesthesiology during laparoscopic surgery. Pain and postoperative nausea and vomiting are the most common causes of morbidity after anesthesia and surgery. We aimed to evaluate the effects of Ondansetron and Dexamethasone in preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting following laparoscopic cholecystectomy, as well as to note any pharmacological side effects that occurred after their usage.

Methods: In this prospective, randomized, double blind controlled study, trial was done after approval from the IRB and trail registry, 60 female patients of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I and II, aged 18 to 65 years, weighing 50-60 kg, and standing 150 to 160 cm, were given institutional ethical committee clearance and written informed consent before undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy (duration 90 minutes) under general anesthesia. Patients arriving in the operating room were sorted into two groups of 30 patients each. All patients were monitored after surgery, documenting vital signs and any difficulties that arose. For the first 12 hours after surgery, all bouts of PONV (nausea, vomiting, and retching) were documented. Each patient's data was gathered and tallied.

Results: The patients in the study group were similar in age, weight, height, ASA status, and operation duration (p 0.05), and there was no significant statistical difference between the data gathered throughout the study

Conclusions: Ondansetron is just as effective as Dexamethasone at lowering nausea and vomiting after laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and it comes with less adverse effects.