Rectally administered dimenhydrinate reduces postoperative vomiting in children after strabismus surgery

We have investigated the effectiveness of rectally administered dimenhydrin ate on postoperative vomiting in children undergoing strabismus surgery, in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. in one group, dimenh ydrinate 50 mg was administered rectally 30 min before starting anaesthesia , whereas in the control group, placebo suppositories were given. Children who received dimenhydrinate showed a significantly (P<0.001) lower incidenc e of vomiting (15%) than those in the control group (75%). We conclude that rectal administration of dimenhydrinate is an effective means of reducing postoperative vomiting in children undergoing strabismus surgery.