The Effect of Ginger on Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting Among Patients Undergoing Upper and Lower Limb Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

PURPOSE: Postoperative nausea and vomiting is one of the most common side effects associated with anesthesia. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of ginger on severity and incidence of nausea and vomiting after lower and upper limb surgery.

DESIGN

This was a triple-blinded clinical trial.

METHODS

Sixty eligible patients were randomly assigned to the intervention and control groups. The intervention group received four 250 mg ginger capsules and the control group received four placebo capsules 2 hours before surgery. Incidence and severity of nausea and vomiting immediately after the surgery and 2, 4, 6, and 8 hours after the surgery were evaluated.

FINDINGS: The results of this study showed that the use of ginger capsules significantly reduces the incidence and severity of postoperative nausea and vomiting at different hours after surgery compared to placebo, P < .05, irrespective of the gender and the age of the patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Use of ginger is effective in decreasing postoperative nausea and vomiting. However, further studies in comorbid patients are required to verify these outcomes.