Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in children

Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) are common and unpleasant complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate possible aetiologies of PONV in children and to formulate measures to reduce its incidence. During four months 780 patients requiring anaesthesia were studied prospectively. Vomiting occurred in 34.4%, nausea in 39.3% of the patients. Patients < 2 years of age and boys > 13 years vomited rarely, whereas girls > 13 years vomited frequently. The use of propofol was associated with a decreased rate of PONV. Administration of drugs for reversal of neuromuscular blockade, postoperative opioids and certain operative procedures were associated with an increased rate of PONV. Patients with a history of motion sickness and or previous PONV also had an increased rate of PONV. The majority of the patients perceived PONV as a very unpleasant experience. Possible measures to reduce its incidence include: administration of prophylactic antiemetic drugs for high-risk patients (3-13 years, girls > 13 years, history of motion sickness and or previous PONV) who are undergoing surgical procedures with a high incidence of PONV. Adjustment of anaesthetic technique as wider use of propofol, NSAIDs or regional analgesia instead of opioids for postoperative pain relief and avoidance of neuromuscular reversal agents if possible.