• J O Olatosi, O T Kushimo, C I Okeke, and O O Oriyomi.
• Department of Anaesthesia, College of Medicine University of Lagos, P.M.B. 12003 Lagos, Nigeria. tola-olatosi@yahoo.com
• Nig Q J Hosp Med. 2008 Oct 1;18(4):227-30.

BackgroundThis is a prospective study to determine the pattern of postoperative nausea and vomiting in a Nigerian adult population.Method348 consecutive patients were assessed prospectively for the incidence and risk factors of postoperative nausea and vomiting over a 6-month period. The exclusion criteria included inability to give consent, nausea or vomiting during the period 24 hours before surgery, raised intracranial pressure and patients who received an anti-emetic in the period 48 hours before surgery.ResultPatient's age ranged between 18 and 90 years. There were 213 females (61.2%) and 135 males (38.8%). The incidence of postoperative nausea was 32.2% and vomiting was 20.1%. The major risk factors identified were female gender, body mass index, general anaesthesia-inhalational technique, Ketamine induction, pancuronium, pain and movement of patients from the recovery room to surgical wards (p < 0.05).ConclusionNausea and vomiting was identified as a common postoperative complication with multifactoral aetiology. It is recommended that high risk patients should receive prophylactic antiemetics. Regional techniques should also be considered in such patients.

28 keywords...

hide…