An alternative method to alleviate postoperative nausea and vomiting in children

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S M Wang1, M B Hofstadter, Z N Kain

  • 1Department of Anesthesiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520-8051, USA.

Journal of Clinical Anesthesia
|August 6, 1999
PubMed

Insights

Isopropyl alcohol vapor provided a temporary reduction in postoperative nausea and vomiting for children. However, symptoms frequently returned shortly after treatment, indicating a transient effect.

Area of Science:

  • Anesthesiology
  • Pediatric Surgery
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is a common complication in children undergoing surgery.
  • Effective and non-invasive treatments for PONV are continually sought.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the efficacy of inhaled isopropyl alcohol as a treatment for established PONV in pediatric patients.
  • To compare isopropyl alcohol vapor inhalation to a saline placebo for PONV management.

Main Methods:

  • A double-blind, randomized, controlled trial was conducted with 91 pediatric patients (age 6-16).
  • Patients received up to three sequences of inhaled isopropyl alcohol or saline.
  • Rescue antiemetic therapy (ondansetron) was administered if PONV persisted.

Main Results:

  • A significant reduction in nausea or vomiting severity was observed in 65% of the isopropyl alcohol group versus 26% of the saline group (p=0.03).
  • However, recurrent nausea or vomiting occurred in 54% of the isopropyl alcohol group compared to 80% of the saline group within 20-60 minutes.

Conclusions:

  • Inhaled isopropyl alcohol demonstrated a transient antiemetic effect in children with established PONV.
  • Repetitive inhalation of isopropyl alcohol did not provide a sustained resolution of PONV in this pediatric population.
Abstract

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