A comparison of the incidence of nausea after laparoscopic cholecystectomy and diagnostic laparoscopy

Thirty-four patients undergoing gynecologic diagnostic laparoscopy and 30 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomies were followed prospectively for nausea and vomiting 24 hours postoperatively. Diagnostic laparoscopy patients had a significantly higher incidence of nausea and vomiting than laparoscopic cholecystectomy patients with similar anesthetic techniques, duration of surgery, and population parameters. All patients had their stomach contents suctioned after induction. While both procedures involve bowel manipulation, patient position and organ manipulation differ: diagnostic laparoscopy involves the Trendelenburg position and laparoscopic cholecystectomy involves the reverse Trendelenburg; diagnostic laparoscopy involves the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes while laparoscopic cholecystectomy involves mainly the gall-bladder and its appendages. These factors may contribute to the differences found in this study.