Comparison of ondansetron & dexamethasone in prevention of postoperative nausea & vomiting in laparoscopic surgery

Objectives: Incidence of post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is high in patients undergoing laparoscopic surgeries under general anaesthesia. Aim of this study is to compare dexamethasone and ondansetron in preventing PONV. Methods: In this randomized, open clinical trial, we studied 100 ASA Grades I, II and III patients between the ages of 20 and 60 years undergoing elective laparoscopic surgeries under general anaesthesia. Group I received 4 mg of ondansetron i.v. and group II received 8 mg of dexamethasone i.v. 5 minutes before the induction of anaesthesia. The incidences of PONV were recorded with in the first 24 hours after surgery at intervals of 0-2 hours, 2- 6 hours and 6-24 hours. Results and conclusion: Nausea in the first two hours of post-operative period was significantly more in Group D as compared with Group O. In the 2 6 hour period and 6 24 hours period nausea was present in both the Groups and was statistically insignificant. There was no statistically significant difference between both the groups in incidence of vomiting and PONV in postoperative period. Incidence of PONV is not related to increase BMI, phases of menstrual and inhalational anaesthetic agent used. We conclude that ondansetron given intravenously just before induction is safe and more effective than intravenous dexamethasone in early nausea and vomiting and dexamethasone reduces delayed post-operative nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing elective laparoscopic surgeries.