Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 14, 2026
A Postoperative Evaluation Guideline for Computer-Assisted Reconstruction of the Mandible
Published on: January 28, 2020
Effect of intravenous preoperative versus postoperative paracetamol on postoperative nausea and vomiting in patients
Mehmet Aksoy1, İlker İnce, Ali Ahıskalıoğlu
1Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Ataturk University Faculty of Medicine, Erzurum, Turkey. drmaksoy@hotmail.com.
Insights
Giving children paracetamol before strabismus surgery significantly reduces postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). This preoperative approach is more effective than giving it after surgery or not at all.
Area of Science:
- Anesthesiology and Pain Management
- Pediatric Surgery
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is a common complication in pediatric patients.
- Strabismus surgery in children carries a risk of PONV, impacting recovery.
- Effective strategies to mitigate PONV are crucial for pediatric surgical care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy of preoperative versus postoperative paracetamol administration.
- To evaluate the impact of timing of paracetamol on PONV in pediatric strabismus surgery.
- To determine the optimal timing for paracetamol to reduce PONV in this patient group.
Main Methods:
- A prospective randomized study involving 96 pediatric patients undergoing strabismus surgery.
- Patients were divided into three groups: preoperative paracetamol, postoperative paracetamol, and control (saline).
- Intravenous paracetamol (15 mg kg-1) was administered either 1 hour before or after surgery, with saline used in the control group.
Main Results:
- Preoperative paracetamol significantly reduced the incidence of nausea and vomiting within the first 0-6 hours postoperatively compared to control and postoperative groups (p<0.001).
- Fewer patients in the preoperative paracetamol group required antiemetic medication during the first 12 hours postoperatively.
- The control group showed a higher need for antiemetic administration in the early postoperative period.
Conclusions:
- Preoperative administration of paracetamol is an effective strategy for reducing PONV in children undergoing strabismus surgery.
- Timing of paracetamol administration plays a critical role in its efficacy for PONV prevention.
- This finding supports the use of preoperative paracetamol to improve outcomes in pediatric strabismus surgery.
Objectives:
This prospective randomized study aimed to compare the efficacy of preoperative versus postoperative paracetamol on postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in children undergoing strabismus surgery.
Methods:
Ninety-six patients were randomly divided into three equal groups (n=32). In the preoperative paracetamol group, patients received intravenous (IV) infusion of paracetamol [15 mg kg-1 (1.5 ml kg-1)] 1 h before surgery over 20 min and that of saline (1.5 ml kg-1) in the recovery room. In the postoperative paracetamol group, patients received IV infusion of saline (1.5 ml kg-1) 1 h before surgery over 20 min and that of paracetamol [15 mg kg-1 (1.5 ml kg-1)] in therecovery room. In the control group, patients received the IV infusion of saline (1.5 ml kg-1) pre- and postoperatively. Postoperative pain condition was evaluated using the Faces Pain Scale. In the recovery room, an observer recorded the pain score, complaints of nausea and vomiting, the need for rescue analgesics, and the need for antiemetic drug during 24 h postoperatively.
Results:
The incidence of nausea and vomiting during the first 0-6 h postoperatively was significantly lower in the preoperative paracetamol group than in the control and postoperative paracetamol groups (p<0.001). The number of patients requiring antiemetic administration during the first 0-6 and 6-12 h postoperatively was found to be higher in the control group than in the other groups (p<0.001, for all).
Conclusion:
The preoperative administration of paracetamol reduces PONV incidence in children undergoing strabismus surgery.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:21Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Cannabinoids
Two synthetic agonists of THC,...
01:27Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: 5-HT3 Receptor Antagonists
01:23Peripheral Artery Disease V: Postoperative Nursing Management
01:29Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Dopamine Receptor Antagonists
Phenothiazines, such as prochlorperazine...
01:28Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists
01:22Pathophysiology of Vomiting