Nausea and vomiting after laparoscopic surgery: a comparison of propofol and thiopentone/halothane anaesthesia

Sixty ASA I and II patients scheduled for laparoscopic cholecystectomy or inguinal herniotomy were randomly assigned to one of two groups: Group one (n = 30): induction with thiopentone 4-6 mg kg-1, fentanyl 2 micrograms kg-1, pancuronium 0.03 mg kg-1, and succinylcholine 1 mg kg-1, maintainance with halothane (0.8-1.5%), and N2O in O2 (FiO2 = 0.33). Group two (n = 30): induction with propofol 2-3 mg kg-1, fentanyl 2 micrograms kg-1, pancuronium 0.03 mg kg-1, and succinylcholine 1 mg kg-1, maintainance with propofol 6-10 mg kg-1 h-1, and O2 in N2 (FiO2:0.33). Seven of the patients experienced nausea in each group with group one having higher emetic scores. Six patients in group one vomited compared to none in group two (P < 0.05). The overall incidence of emetic sequelae (nausea or vomiting) was 43% in group one and 23% in group two (P = 0.17). Patients with propofol anaesthesia had lower emetic scores and higher recovery scores compared with those after thiopentone/halothane anaesthesia.