To Compare the Effectiveness of Granisetron Versus Ondansetron to Control Nausea and Vomiting During Lower Segment...

Nausea and vomiting (NV) seen during and after lower segment cesarean section (LSCS) are due to increased intragastric pressure, hypotension, stretching the peritoneum (exteriorization of the uterus), excessive surgical manipulation and visceral stimulation, using opioids, using uterotonic agents, and the patient's mental status. Ondansetron and granisetron intravenous (i.v.) are useful for avoiding bradycardia and hypotension.

The objective of this study is to study the effectiveness of granisetron versus ondansetron to control NV during LSCS under subarachnoid block.

Eighty patients undergoing elective cesarean section under spinal anesthesia by intrathecal bupivacaine were randomly divided into two groups (40 pregnant females of the American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Classes I and II in each Group). Group 1 received granisetron 40 mg.kg^-1 i.v. stat after clamping the cord and Group 2 given i.v. ondansetron 8 mg stat after clamping the cord. NV were observed at the "early postoperative period (0-3 h)" and "late postoperative period (4-24 h)."

Student's t-test and Chi-square test were used to find out the statistical significance, P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

The mean age was 29.3 years with 4.15 standard deviation (SD) and 28.3 years with 4.41 SD in Groups 1 and 2, respectively. The mean duration of surgery was 53.1 min with 6.67 min SD and 57.7 min with 10.26 SD in Groups 1 and 2, respectively. In the "early postoperative period," NV observed in 7.5% and 10.0% participants in Groups 1 and 2, respectively (P > 0.05), and in "late postoperative period," NV observed in 0.0% and 22.5% participants in Groups 1 and 2, respectively (P < 0.05).

Granisetron reduces the severity of spinal-induced hypotension, need for rescue vasopressor, and incidence of nausea.