A comparative study of palonosetron versus palonosetron and dexamethasone for the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting in subjects undergoing laparoscopic surgeries: A randomized double-blind control study

Abstract

Background: Palonosetron is an effective antiemetic that can be used for treating postoperative nausea vomiting which is a major problem in laparoscopic surgeries. Aims: The aim of this study was to find out whether addition of dexamethasone to palonosetron would be more effective than palonosetron alone in prevention of this problem in patients undergoing laparoscopic surgeries. Settings and Design: This study was conducted as a double blind study in MS Ramaiah hospital, Bangalore. Materials and Methods: Ninety patients with ASA grade 1 and 2 between 20-60 years of age undergoing elective laparoscopic surgery under general anaesthesia were randomised into two groups of 45 patients each. Group-P received 0.075 mg of palonosetron and Group-P+D received the same dose of palonosetron and 8 mg of dexamethasone before induction. The number of complete responders along with four point nausea and vomiting scores were recorded at 2, 6, 24, 48 hours post-operatively. Statistical Analysis Used: Difference in the number of complete responders in each of the groups were tested to be of statistical significance through Chi square test of significance. P value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. t-test was used for categorical data assessment. Results: Complete responders recorded in group P+D were 34 (75.5%) and in group P were 35 (77.7%). Three patients in group P+D (6.7%) and 4 patients in group P (8.9%) required rescue anti-emetics. The P value obtained was 0.694 (>0.05) and hence not statistically significant. Conclusion: The addition of dexamethasone to palonosetron does not offer an added advantage over the usage of palonosetron alone as a single drug.