A Granisetron-Droperidol Combination Prevents Postoperative Vomiting in Children

UNLABELLED: This study was performed to compare the efficacy of a granisetron-droperidol combination with each antiemetic alone to prevent postoperative vomiting after tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy in children. One hundred eighty pediatric patients, ASA physical status I, aged 4-10 yr, were enrolled in a prospective, randomized, double-blind investigation and assigned to one of three treatment regimens: granisetron 40 microg/kg (Group G), droperidol 50 microg/kg (Group D), or granisetron 40 microg/kg plus droperidol 50 microg/kg (Group GD) (n = 60 in each group). These drugs were administered i.v. after an inhaled induction. The same standard general anesthetic technique and postoperative analgesia were used throughout. The rate of complete response, defined as no emesis and no need for rescue antiemetic, 0-3 h after anesthesia was 83% in Group G, 60% in Group D, and 97% in Group GD (P = 0.029 versus Group G, P = 0.001 versus Group D). The corresponding rates 3-24 h after anesthesia were 83%, 55%, and 97% (P = 0.029 versus Group G, P = 0.001 versus Group D). No clinically important adverse events were observed in any of the groups. In conclusion, a granisetron-droperidol combination is superior to each antiemetic alone in complete response in children undergoing general anesthesia for tonsillectomy. IMPLICATIONS: We compared the efficacy of granisetron plus droperidol with each antiemetic alone for the prevention of postoperative vomiting in children. The granisetron-droperidol combination was highly effective against postoperative emesis.