Evaluation and Comparison of Two Different Combined Regimens for Prophylaxis of Nausea and Vomiting After Laparoscopic Bariatric Surgery: A Double-Blinded Randomized Clinical Trial

Postoperative Nausea and vomiting (PONV) are the most complications after laparoscopic surgeries, especially laparoscopic bariatric surgeries. The incidence of PONV has been estimated in over two-thirds of patients undergoing laparoscopic bariatric surgeries. Prophylactic combined antiemetic therapy is recommended for patients undergoing these surgeries. This is a double-blinded randomized clinical trial. Eighty-three patients of ASA physical status I and II undergoing elective bariatric laparoscopic surgery were enrolled in this clinical trial and divided into two equal groups through simple randomization using a random number table. One group (group A) received a combination of ondansetron, dexamethasone, and haloperidol (ODH); and the other group (group B) received a combination of ondansetron, dexamethasone, and promethazine (ODP). The ODP group received promethazine 25 mg IM 30 minutes before extubation and ODH group received haloperidol 2 mg IM at the beginning of the surgery. Nausea and vomiting were assessed in terms of severity and frequency in the recovery room, 6, and 24 hours postoperatively in both groups using the Numeric Verbal Rating Scale (NVRS). The frequency of PONV was significantly lower in the ODH group compared to the ODP group in the recovery room (20% versus 40%). PONV severity was lower in the ODH group compared to the ODP group. The time to first rescue antiemetic prescription in the ODP group was more than in the ODH group (7.2 h versus 2.6 h). In morbidly obese patients undergoing laparoscopic bariatric surgery, both antiemetic combinations decreased the incidence of PONV, but the combination of haloperidol, dexamethasone, and ondansetron was more effective than promethazine, dexamethasone, and ondansetron.