The role of granisetron in the enhancement of recovery and home discharge in ambulatory surgery performed under spinal anesthesia

Background The popularity of day-care surgery has increased worldwide due to reduced costs and remarkable safety profile. Neuraxial anesthesia is a popular technique for day-case surgeries. Anesthetist should modify his/her techniques to optimize patient’s chance of early discharge. 5-Hydroxytryptamine type 3 receptor antagonists used to prevent and treat postoperative nausea and vomiting may affect the course of spinal anesthesia and prevent its associated hypotension. Aim The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of granisetron in the reversal of hyperbaric bupivacaine spinal anesthesia and enhancement of home discharge in day surgeries. Patients and methods Sixty adult patients scheduled for elective day surgery under spinal anesthesia were randomly divided into two equal groups to receive either 1 mg of granisetron (the G group) intravenously diluted in 5 ml normal saline over 30 s, 5 min before spinal anesthesia, or an equal volume of intravenous normal saline (the S group) at the same time. Heart rate, mean arterial pressure, oxygen saturation, and sensory and motor block levels were monitored and recorded. Results Time to regression of sensory level by two dermatomes, time to regression of sensory level to S2, time to first void, and time to discharge readiness were significantly lower in group G. Moreover, the incidence of nausea and shivering was significantly lower in group G. Conclusion Administration of 1 mg of granisetron before spinal anesthesia in ambulatory surgeries resulted in a statistically faster sensory regression and earlier home discharge from the day-surgery unit.