Related Experiment Videos
Oral granisetron prevents postoperative vomiting in children
Insights
Granisetron effectively prevents postoperative vomiting in children undergoing tonsillectomy. Oral granisetron doses above 40 micrograms/kg significantly improved outcomes with no adverse events.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Pediatric Anesthesiology
Background:
- Postoperative vomiting is a common complication in pediatric tonsillectomy.
- Selective 5-hydroxytryptamine type 3 receptor antagonists are used for antiemesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of oral granisetron for preventing postoperative vomiting in children after tonsillectomy.
- To determine the optimal dose of granisetron for this indication.
Main Methods:
- A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 160 pediatric patients (ASA 1, aged 4-10 years).
- Patients received oral placebo or granisetron (20, 40, or 80 µg/kg) one hour before surgery.
- Standard general anesthesia was administered.
Main Results:
- Complete response (no emesis, no rescue antiemetic) rates were 40% (placebo), 48% (20 µg/kg), 85% (40 µg/kg), and 90% (80 µg/kg).
- Higher doses of granisetron (≥40 µg/kg) showed statistically significant improvement (P < 0.05).
- No clinically significant adverse events were reported.
Conclusions:
- Preoperative oral granisetron, particularly at doses exceeding 40 µg/kg, is effective in preventing postoperative vomiting in pediatric tonsillectomy patients.
- Granisetron offers a safe and effective antiemetic option for this patient population.
Abstract:
We have studied the efficacy of granisetron, a selective 5-hydroxytryptamine type 3 receptor antagonist, administered orally for the prevention of postoperative vomiting after tonsillectomy in children. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 160 paediatric patients, ASA 1, aged 4-10 yr, received placebo or granisetron (20, 40 or 80 micrograms kg-1) (n = 40 each) orally, 1 h before surgery. A standard general anaesthetic technique was used throughout. A complete response, defined as no emesis and no need for another rescue antiemetic during the first 24 h after anaesthesia, occurred in 40%, 48%, 85% and 90% of patients who had received placebo, or granisetron 20, 40 or 80 micrograms kg-1, respectively (P < 0.05; overall Fisher's exact probability test). There were no clinically important adverse events. We conclude that preoperative oral granisetron, in doses more than 40 micrograms kg-1, was effective for the prevention of postoperative vomiting in children.