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Prophylactic antiemetics in children undergoing tonsillectomy: high‐dose vs low‐dose ondansetron
Author(s) -
SPLINTER WILLIAM,
RHINE ELLIOT
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
pediatric anesthesia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.704
H-Index - 82
eISSN - 1460-9592
pISSN - 1155-5645
DOI - 10.1046/j.1460-9592.1997.d01-58.x
Subject(s) - ondansetron , medicine , vomiting , antiemetic , anesthesia , tonsillectomy , propofol , postoperative nausea and vomiting
This randomized, double‐blind study assessed the impact of two different doses of intraoperative ondansetron on vomiting following tonsillectomy in 240 preadolescent children in a day care surgical setting. After anaesthesia was established by inhalation with N 2 O/halothane or intravenously with propofol, the subjects were administered the study drug (50 or 150 μ g·kg −1 ondansetron, maximum dose 8 mg). Anaesthesia was maintained with N 2 O/halothane. The greater dose of ondansetron (150 μ g·kg −1 ) had a lower incidence (36% vs 52%) of postoperative vomiting ( P =0.01). In‐hospital emesis was not a problem with only 14% of the subjects vomiting. Eight patients sought medical attention for vomiting after discharge from hospital. In conclusion, 150 μ g·kg −1 ondansetron is a more effective prophylactic antiemetic than 50 & mu;g·kg −1 ondansetron among children undergoing elective tonsillectomy.