Study of the Effectiveness of Two Intravenous Fluid Regimens on the Incidence of Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting (PONV)

Abstract

* Background and Objective:

Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting (PONV) is a common problem that both anesthesiologists and patients worry about. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of hydration with supplemental intravenous fluids as a non-pharmacologic approach for PONV prophylaxis.

* Materials and Methods:

This study is a randomized controlled double-blinded trial which includes 95 patients who had open appendectomy under general anesthesia at Al-Mowasat Hospital at Damascus University. All the patients had low or moderate risk for PONV. The patients were randomly allocated to 2 groups:

Group A: (48 patients, 10 ml/kg of normal saline was administered).

Group B: (47 patients, 4 ml/kg of normal saline was administered).

Besides that, the patients of both groups had their fasting requirements replaced according to 4-2-1 formula.

* Results:

The incidence of total , early and late PONV in group A were 25%, 23% and 6% respectively, while they were 40%, 34% and 15% in group B.

The risk ratio RR for the prevention of total PONV was 0.63 (P value: 0.02), of early PONV was 0.68 (P value 0.07), and of late PONV was 0.40 (P value 0.01).

* Conclusion:

Hydrating patients, who are at low and moderate risk for PONV, with a high volume of intravenous crystalloids (10 ml/kg) intra-operatively has more efficacy in preventing PONV than the low volume (4 ml/kg).