Granisetron reduces the incidence of nausea and vomiting after middle ear surgery

We studied the efficacy of granisetron, a selective 5-hydroxytryptamine type-3 receptor antagonist, in preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) after middle ear surgery. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 60 ASA I patients received placebo (saline) or granisetron 40 micrograms kg-1 i.v. immediately before induction of anaesthesia (n = 30 in each group). A standard general anaesthetic technique was used. During the first 24 h after anaesthesia, the incidence of PONV in patients who had received granisetron was lower than in those who had received placebo (17% vs 63%; P < 0.05). There were no clinically important adverse effects in either group. We conclude that granisetron, given before anaesthesia, reduced the incidence of PONV after middle ear surgery.