Droperidol and/or Ondansetron

To the Editor: McKenzie et al. [1] present a reasonable hypothesis, which, as they point out, has already been reported [2]: ondansetron with droperidol is better than droperidol alone. This implies that the combination is better than either drug alone. Unlike the earlier report [2], McKenzie et al.'s data are consistent with ondansetron being a better antiemetic and the droperidol adding nothing to the therapy except for complications. McKenzie et al. have approximately half the incidence of vomiting, yet feel that they do not need an ondansetron control. If this is true, what has this paper added to our knowledge? It is important to have a reasonable hypothesis. Just calculating from the data presented we could conclude that droperidol without ondansetron increases sedation before it is given! Their conclusion that ondansetron with droperidol is better than droperidol alone is consistent with their data. The reader cannot extrapolate from their data that the combination is better than ondansetron alone. M. Craig Pinsker, MD, PhD Richmond Eye and Ear Hospital; Richmond, VA 23219