Postoperative Vomiting: The Effects of Premedication, Anaesthetic and Oxytocic Drugs

One of the most distressing side effects following anaesthesia is the occurrence of nausea, often followed by retching and vomiting.In a review of the subject in 1963 Riding felt that postoperative "sickness" was less frequent and severe than in the preceding twenty years. ~ However, examination of more recent literature suggests that the incidence of postoperative "sickness" has probably not changed although its severity may have. It is, however, difficult to compare these studies as there was little attempt by many authors to define nausea, retching, or vomiting, indeed postoperative "sickness" is often used interchangeably with these terms. The studies variably included one or all of these symptoms; population samples, anaesthetic conditions, and periods of follow up also differed (Table I).This article will review our current understanding of the physiology of emesis (nausea, retching and vomiting) and evaluates the part played by anaesthesia in its aetiology. In a second review we will examine the methods and agents available to anaesthetists for prevention or treatment of emetic symptoms. Clearly there are several factors not directly related to anaesthesia that influence the incidence of emetic episodes (nausea, retching, or vomiting). These factors include metabolic, vestibular and psychogenic disturbances, gastro-intestinal and intraeranial disorders and administration of agents with emetic potential such as ergometrine.In these cases there is often little the anesthetist can do to influence the primary pathology and so brief mention will be made of these.

show abstract

Anaesthesia and emesis. I: Etiology

Palazzo

1984

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Omission of Nitrous Oxide during Anesthesia Reduces the Incidence of Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting

Divatia

Vaidya²,

Badwe³

et al. 1996

Anesthesiology

180

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting: A Review of their Incidence, Causes and Effects

Mckie

1970

Australian and New Zealand Journal of Surgery

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

MelbourneThis paper reviews reports on the incidence and importance of postoperative nausea and vomiting, and concludes that the main predisposing factors are the agent and technique used, premedicant drugs, the operation site, the age and sex of the patient and the duratioia of the operation. (The patient's) dread of the anzesthetic is not because of its danger . . . but because of the sickness which he anticipates as an inevitable consequence.-BLUMFELD, Lancet, I @ . THE IMPORTANCE OF POSTOPERATIVE VOMITING Although less important than formerly, nausea and vomiting remain unpleasant and sometimes serious sequela of anzsthesia. Riding (1963) lists the complications of postoperative nausea and vomiting as: I. Discomfort, possibly with soiling of clothing and bedding. 2. Aspiration of vomitus, and its harmful effects. 3. Strain on suture lines and promotion of haemorrhage, seriously jeopardizing good surgical results, particularly in eye and plastic operations. 4. Electrolyte disturbances, which, however, are rare. Bellville (1961) includes in this category trauma to the esophagus, interference with * Present address : Department of Anzsthesia, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne.proper nutrition and inability to tolerate oral medication. It is clear that remedial measures will be worth while provided that they do not cause complications of their own.

show abstract

scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.

Contact Info

customersupport@researchsolutions.com

10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614

Henderson, NV 89052, USA

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Blog Terms and Conditions API Terms Privacy Policy Contact Cookie Preferences Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

Made with 💙 for researchers

Part of the Research Solutions Family.

Postoperative Vomiting: The Effects of Premedication, Anaesthetic and Oxytocic Drugs

Cited by 3 publications

References 5 publications

Anaesthesia and emesis. I: Etiology

Anaesthesia and emesis. I: Etiology

Omission of Nitrous Oxide during Anesthesia Reduces the Incidence of Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting

Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting: A Review of their Incidence, Causes and Effects

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About