LOW-DOSE DROPERIDOL REDUCES POSTOPERATIVE VOMITING IN PEDIATRIC DAY SURGERY

In a prospective, randomized, blind study, we assessed the effectivene ss of droperidol 20 mu g kg(-1) i.v., given at induction of anaesthesi a, in preventing postoperative vomiting in paediatric day-case patient s. We studied 270 children, aged 1-15 yr, undergoing body surface surg ery. There was a significant reduction in the incidence of vomiting in the recovery room (1.4% vs 9.2%, P < 0.005) and in the day ward (9.4% vs 18.3%, P < 0.05) in patients receiving droperidol. There was no si gnificant difference on the journey home (9.5% vs 17.83%, ns) or at ho me (16.7% vs 10.3%, ns). There was also a reduction in the severity of vomiting in the droperidol group. There were no adverse side effects.