Prophylactic administration of ondansetron in emergency intraabdominal operations

Efficiency of ondansetron, a selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, in prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting in 40 ASA I-II patients who will undergo emergency intraabdominal operations is studied in a randomized double-blind and placebo controlled study. Patients of no premedication are administered 4 mg i.v. ondansetron or placebo (saline) before induction. Thiopental (4 mg/kg) was used for induction, succinylcholine (2 mg/kg) for muscular relaxation, and 50% nitrous oxide in oxygen and isoflurance (0.8-1.5%) for the maintenance of anesthesia, and fentanyl and norcuron were administered when necessary. Vital signs were closely monitored and recorded during anesthesia and early postoperative period. Study is carried out during postoperative 0-1 h, 1-2 h and 2-24 h periods. Nausea scores and emesis were recorded during 0-1 and 1-2 h periods. Ondansetron was found significantly more effective than placebo (p < 0.05 and p < 0.05). Although is was effective during 2-24 h period, the difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). No significant difference was observed between the groups in terms of vital findings, laboratory findings and side effects (p > 0.05). Therefore it is concluded that administration of prophylactic i.v. ondansetron to patients undergoing emergency intraabdominal operations is effective in prevention of nausea and vomiting without any significant side effects.