NAUSEA AND VOMITING AFTER CARDIAC-SURGERY

We have undertaken a prospective, randomized study to determine the in cidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting during intensive care sta y after cardiac surgery, and to study the effect of addition of droper idol to an infusion of morphine used for postoperative analgesia. Data from 398 patients were examined. The use of droperidol reduced compla ints of nausea from 92 of 198 (46.5%) to 46 of 200 (23%) and episodes of retching or vomiting from 73 of 198 (36.9%) to 44 of 200 (22%). The number of patients requiring rescue antiemetic medication was also re duced significantly from 100 of 198 (50.5%) of those who did not recei ve droperidol to 44 of 200 (22%) of those given droperidol. Mean durat ion of intubation was 4.9 h and was unaffected by the use of droperido l. Droperidol had no effect on mean length of stay in the recovery uni t.