A prospective study of incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting in a tertiary care hospital in Oman.

INTRODUCTION

This is a pilot study conducted in a tertiary referral center in Oman, to assess the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) so that an institutional policy towards its alleviation could be evolved.

METHODS AND MATERIALS: This is a prospective study of 491 patients undergoing obstetric and gynecological, general surgical, pediatric and urological surgical procedures that received general anesthesia, regional anesthesia or a combination of both. Data regarding the incidence of PONV was collected and was documented in a standardized questionnaire based on the patient history, anesthetic protocol, a postoperative interview of the patient and a review of the nursing records.

RESULT: The over all incidence of PONV in our institution was 19.6%. The occurrence of vomiting compared to nausea or retching was high (p < 0.01). PONV was less in urological cases (p < 0.05) compared to general surgical cases. The incidence of PONV was similar (p > 0.05) in both groups, whether the patients received anti emetics along with pre-medication or not. PONV occurrence was significant in the first 6 hrs postoperatively (p < 0.01). In those patients who received propofol the prevalence of PONV was significantly less (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

There should be a reassessment of the existing anti emetics in the institution. Propofol was found to be a good anti emetic.