• H R Chun, I S Jeon, S Y Park, S J Lee, S H Kang, and S I Kim.
• Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Hospital Seoul, 657, Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
• Br J Anaesth. 2014 Mar 1;112(3):485-90.

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of palonosetron, the latest 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, for the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) during the first 72 h after operation.MethodsIn this randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study, 204 healthy inpatients who were undergoing elective surgery with general anaesthesia were enrolled. Patients were divided into two groups: the palonosetron group (palonosetron 0.075 mg i.v.; n=102) and the placebo group (normal saline i.v.; n=102). The treatments were given after the induction of anaesthesia. The incidence of nausea, vomiting, severity of nausea, and the use of rescue anti-emetics during the first 72 h after surgery were evaluated.ResultsThe incidence of PONV was lower in the palonosetron group compared with the placebo group during the 0-24 h (33% vs 47%) and 0-72 h period (33% vs 52%) (P<0.05), but not during the 24-72 h postoperative period (6% vs 11%). The incidence of nausea was also significantly lower in the palonosetron group than in the placebo group during the 0-24 and 0-72 h period (P<0.05), but not during the 24-72 h postoperative period. However, there were no significant differences in the incidence of vomiting, and the use of rescue anti-emetics between the groups.ConclusionsPalonosetron 0.075 mg i.v. effectively reduced the incidence of PONV during the first 72 h after operation, with most of the reduction occurring in the first 24 h.

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