ANTIEMETIC EFFICACY OF PROPHYLACTIC ONDANSETRON IN LAPAROSCOPIC SURGERY - RANDOMIZED, DOUBLE-BLIND COMPARISON WITH METOCLOPRAMIDE

In a randomized, double-blind study, we have compared the prophylactic antiemetic efficacy of ondansetron with that of metoclopramide in 123 patients undergoing general anaesthesia for day-case gynaecological l aparoscopic surgery. The patients received either iv. ondansetron 4 mg or metoclopramide 10 mg immediately before a standard anaesthetic. Th e number of patients with no nausea or vomiting in the ondansteron gro up was 50 (82%) compared with 29 (47%) in the metoclopramide group (P < 0.001). In those patients with a previous history of postoperative n ausea and vomiting, nausea was less severe in those receiving ondanset ron compared with those receiving metoclopramide (P < 0.05). We conclu de that preoperative prophylactic administration of i. v. ondansetron was superior to metoclopramide in preventing nausea and vomiting after general anaesthesia for day- case gynaecological laparoscopic surgery .