Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of palonosetron and ramosetron for the prevention of PONV in high risk patients undergoing gynecologic laparoscopic surgery.
Methodology: In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, a total of 87 female patients who were undergoing elective gynecologic laparoscopic surgery under general anesthesia were included. Patients were randomly divided into the following three groups: palonosetron group (0.075 mg i.v. n=29), ramosetron group (0.3 mg i.v. n=29) and control group (0.9 % normal saline i.v. n=29). The occurrence of nausea and vomiting and the severity of nausea were evaluated using visual analogue scale. Administration of rescue anti-emetics was monitored during 48 hours after the end of surgery.
Results: The incidence of nausea was significantly lower in the palonosetron and ramosetron groups compared with the control group (34.5% vs 31.0% vs 65.5%, p=0.014) during 2 hours postoperatively, but not during 48 hours postoperatively. There were no significant differences in the incidence of vomiting and overall PONV, and the administration of rescue anti-emetics among the 3 groups.
Conclusion: Prophylaxis with ramosetron or palonosetron effectively decreased PONV during the early postoperative period.

Key words: Postoperative nausea and vomiting, Palonosetron, Ramosetron.