Pediatric patients experiencing postoperative nausea and vomiting after burn reconstruction surgery: an analysis

Nausea and vomiting after a surgical procedure has a significant impact on a patient's hospital course. A perceived increased incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in pediatric patients undergoing reconstructive scalp surgery had been clinically observed. A chart review to determine if a relationship existed between the surgical procedure and the incidence of PONV was conducted by selecting patients who were 5 to 12 years old and whose surgery fell between April 1995 and August 1995. Thirty-eight patients were evaluated for 46 procedures; 8 patients were evaluated for both insertion and removal of scalp expanders. No differences were identified between groups for previous history of PONV, length of anesthesia, or position during surgery. Data from the retrospective review suggested that pediatric patients with reconstructive surgeries of the scalp experienced PONV at 100% (24 procedures), whereas only 45% (10 procedures) of patients whose surgeries did not involve the scalp experienced PONV. In addition, despite significant earlier return of bowel sounds, episodes of PONV and time to oral intake were also increased in the group of patients whose operations involved the scalp. On the basis of these findings, a prospective study has been initiated to determine if changes in the perioperative protocol will improve patient outcomes and reduce the incidence of PONV.