Abstract

BACKGROUND :
Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is a common distressing experience in patients following
laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
OBJECTIVE:
This study was aimed at comparing the better timing of Ondansetron administration in prevention of
PONV in female patients underwent elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy done under general
anesthesia.
PATIENTS AND METHODS:
Fifty ASA physical status I and II female patients, aged 19 to 45 years, were enrolled in this prospective
study to receive 4mg IV Ondansetron preoperatively (Group A), or 4 mg IV Ondansetron
postoperatively (Group B), 25 patients each. A standardized general anesthetic technique was
employed. Any episode of PONV was assessed at 8 hours postoperative period, every 2 hours, starting
at time zone 0 (at post-anesthesia recovery unit), and ending at time zone 3 ( hour 8 postoperatively).
Complete response is defined as no PONV during 8 hours postoperative period. Incomplete response is
defined as developing of postoperative nausea only during 8 hours postoperative period. Failure of
prevention is defined as developing of PONV during 8 hours postoperative period.
RESULTS:
Complete response occurred in 60 and 64% in Groups A and B respectively. Incomplete response
occurred in 12 and 4% in Groups A and B respectively. Failure of prevention occurred in 28 and 32%
in Groups A and B respectively.
CONCLUSION:
There is no significant clinical difference between preoperative or postoperative Ondansetron
administration of the same dosage in both groups in prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting.