“A comparison of ondansetron and palonosetron for prevention of post-operative nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing elective abdominal surgeries under general anaesthesia” A randomized double blind study

Post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is commonly seen in female patients undergoing abdominal surgeries under general anaesthesia. In this randomized double blind prospective study, efficacy of ondansetron and palonosetron for prevention of PONV following abdominal surgeries under general anaesthesia was compared.

60 female patients undergoing elective abdominal surgery were randomly allocated to one of the two groups of 30 patients each. Group O patients received injection Ondansetron 4mg and Group P patients received injection Palonosetron 75mcg intravenously 15 minutes before induction. All episodes of PONV within 72 hours after induction of anaesthesia were recorded.

Statistical analysis was done using two sample t test.

The incidence of complete response (no PONV, no rescue medication required) during 0–6 hours in post-operative period was 93.33% in patients of group O and 86.67% in patients of group P. But the incidence of complete response during 6–24 hrs of post-operative period was only 73.33% in patients of group O while it was 93.33% in patients of group P. During 24–48 hours in postoperative period incidence of complete response was only 66.67% in group O while it was 96.67% in group P. And during 48–72 hrs in postoperative period incidence of complete response was 86.67% in patients of group O and 96.67% in patients of group P. Rescue antiemetic in the form of inj. Metoclopramide was given in the patients who had vomiting.

Single dose of Palonosetron was more effective for prevention of nausea and vomiting in comparison to Ondansetron after 6 hrs in post-operative period in abdominal surgeries.