PROPHYLACTIC ANTIEMETICS IN CHILDREN UNDERGOING TONSILLECTOMY - HIGH-DOSE VS LOW-DOSE ONDANSETRON

This randomized, double-blind study assessed the impact of two differe nt doses of intraoperative ondansetron on vomiting following tonsillec tomy in 240 preadolescent children in a day care surgical setting. Aft er anaesthesia was established by inhalation with N2O/ halothane or in travenously with propofol, the subjects were administered the study dr ug (50 or 150 mu g kg(-1) ondansetron, maximum dose 8mg). Anaesthesia was maintained with N2O/ halothane. The greater dose of ondansetron (1 50 mu g kg(-1)) had a lower incidence (36% vs 52%) of postoperative vo miting (P=0.01). In-hospital emesis was not a problem with only 14% of the subjects vomiting. Eight patients sought medical attention for vo miting after discharge from hospital. In conclusion, 150 mu g kg(-1) o ndansetron is a more effective prophylactic antiemetic than 50 mu g kg (-1) ondansetron among children undergoing elective tonsillectomy.