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Acupuncture versus ondansetron in the prevention of postoperative vomiting
Author(s) -
Somri M.,
Vaida S. J.,
Sabo E.,
Yassain G.,
Gankin I.,
Gaitini L. A.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
anaesthesia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.839
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1365-2044
pISSN - 0003-2409
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2044.2001.02209.x
Subject(s) - medicine , ondansetron , acupuncture , placebo , anesthesia , vomiting , postoperative nausea and vomiting , significant difference , incidence (geometry) , alternative medicine , physics , pathology , optics
This study compares the anti‐emetic effect of acupuncture with that of ondansetron and a placebo. Ninety children undergoing dental treatment under general anaesthesia were randomly allocated to one of the three equal groups, to receive acupuncture needle insertion, intravenous ondansetron 0.15 mg.kg −1 or a placebo. Parental satisfaction scores and the incidence of emetic episodes were recorded. A significant difference was found in the number of patients who vomited and the total number of the emetic episodes when comparing the two treatment groups with the placebo group (p < 0.0001). A significant difference was also found between the treatment groups and the placebo group with respect to parental satisfaction score (p < 0.03). We conclude that traditional Chinese acupuncture is a valid non‐pharmacological alternative anti‐emetic treatment that can be recommended as a prophylactic technique in children undergoing dental surgery under general anaesthesia.