Understanding Anesthesiology - The Global Regional Anesthesia ...

Post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV)
PONV is the most common post-operative complication.
The most important risk factors are female gender, non-smoking, past history of PONV or
motion sickness, and the requirement of perioperative opioids. For each risk factor present,
the risk of PONV goes up by 20%, that is 20% with one risk factor, 80% with four. Those
with no risk factors have a risk of PONV of 10%.
Prevention involves includes modifying the anesthetic given to minimize the administration
of emetogenic agents such as nitrous oxide and neostigmine. Prevention also includes the administration
of prophylactic agents which should be directed towards the higher risk patients
only. Commonly-used anti-emetics are ondansetron and dexamethasone. Ondansetron
is much more effective as a treatment of PONV than as a preventive where its NNT (number
needed to treat) appears to be around 5.
Related Glossary Terms
Aldrete score, Antiemetic agents, Chemoreceptor trigger zone, Dimenhydrinate, Ondansetron,
Post-anesthetic care unit, Prochlorperazine, Recovery
Index
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Chapter 4 - Recovery
Chapter 4 - Recovery
Chapter 6 - Antiemetics
Chapter 6 - Antiemetics
Chapter 6 - Antiemetics