• A Klockgether-Radke, M Feldmann, U Braun, and H Mühlendyck.
• Zentrum Anästhesiologie, Rettungs- und Intensivmedizin, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen.
• Anaesthesist. 1992 Jan 1;41(5):254-9.

AbstractVomiting after strabismus surgery is a major problem that remains as yet unsolved, especially in children. Droperidol and metoclopramide, both known as powerful antiemetic drugs, were compared in this study. METHODS. One hundred ASA class I and II children ranging from 3 to 10 years of age were studied in a double-blind, randomised fashion. They were assigned to three groups: group D (n = 33) received 0.075 mg/kg droperidol, group M (n = 33) 0.15 mg/kg metoclopramide, and group N (n = 34) 0.1 ml/kg NaCl i.v. upon arrival in the post-anaesthesia recovery room (PARR). After oral premedication with 0.4 mg/kg midazolam, anaesthesia was induced via a face mask by inhalation of halothane, nitrous oxide, and oxygen. Barbiturates, atropine, and succinylcholine were not used; 0.05 mg/kg vecuronium was given to facilitate intubation. Gastric contents were aspirated by a gastric tube at the end of the operation. Vomiting and retching were recorded for 24 h; recovery from anaesthesia was assessed by a modified Steward score. RESULTS. The three groups were comparable regarding age, body weight, duration of anaesthesia, number of repaired eye muscles, and occurrence of the oculocardiac reflex (OCR). During the first 24 h postoperatively 21/33 (64%) patients of group D vomited, 24/33 (73%) of group M, and 33/34 (97%) of group N. The differences between groups D and N and between M and N were significant (P less than 0.01); comparison of groups D and M showed no statistical significance. Droperidol was more effective in reducing severe vomiting. Of the group N children, 47% vomited more than 6 times in 24 h compared to 18% of group M and 0% of group D. Age, sex, duration of anaesthesia, number of repaired eye muscles, and occurrence of the OCR had no influence on postoperative vomiting. Despite being administered at the end of the operation, droperidol did not prolong the patients' stay in the PARR. The post-anaesthetic scores for group D children were only slightly lower compared to groups M and N. CONCLUSIONS. Droperidol (0.075 mg/kg) and metoclopramide (0.15 mg/kg) both reduce postoperative vomiting after strabismus surgery. Droperidol seems to be more effective in reducing severe vomiting. Postoperative sedation after droperidol was not a major problem in our experience.

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