INFLUENCE OF PROPOFOL ON POSTOPERATIVE VO MITING IN CHILDREN UNDERGOING STRABISMUS SURGERY

Strabismus surgery in children is associated with a high incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). Methods. Ninety ASA class I and II children aged 6 to 16 years and scheduled for strabismus surger y were randomly assigned to one of the following groups: Group 1 (n = 30), thiopentone 4-6 mg/kg i,v., halothane 0.8-1.5%, N2O-O-2 2:1, no o pioids, droperidol 75 mu g/kg i,v.; Group 2 (n = 30): propofol 2-3 mg/ kg i.v,, propofol 6-9 mg/kg h, alfentanil 30 mu g/kg h, N2O-O-2 2:1, no antiemetics; Group 3 (n = 30): similar to group 2, but ventilation with air and O-2 2:1. All patients were mechanically ventilated during anaesthesia and gastric contents were Recovery aspirated, were calcul ated for 2 h, scores for 24 h postoperatively. Results. Emetic episode s during the first 24 h were recorded in 40% of group 1, 26.7% of grou p 2, and 40% of group 3 patients, The oculocardiac reflex occurred onl y in groups 2 and 3, but not in group 1 children. Recovery scores were significantly higher in groups 2 and 3 compared to group 1. Conclusio ns. In children undergoing strabismus surgery propofol/alfentanil anae sthesia without antiemetics may be equal or even superior to thiopento ne/halothane anaesthesia combined with droperidol in terms of PONV and recovery from anaesthesia.