[Inhibiting effect of intrathecal fentanyl on intraoperative vomiting during cesarean delivery under epidural anesthesia].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the inhibiting effect of intrathecal (IT) fentanyl on nausea and vomiting during cesarean delivery under epidural anesthesia. METHODS: Thirty healthy parturients (ASA grade I to II) were randomly assigned in equal numbers into control and fentanyl groups (n=15 each, patients in the latter group treated with IT fentanyl at the dose of 20 microgram/3ml). The incidence of nausea and vomiting during the elective cesarean delivery under epidural anesthesia between the 2 groups were compared and the neonates' Apgar scores assessed after the delivery. RESULTS: Intraoperative nausea and vomiting/retching were reduced in the IT fentanyl group as compared with the control group (6.7 % vs 33.3 % and 0 vs 26.7 %, P>0.05 and P<0.05 respectively). The neonates' Apgar scores were not significantly different between the 2 groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: IT fentanyl can decrease intraoperative vomiting during cesarean delivery performed under epidural anesthesia.