Risk Factors and Preventive Measures Associated with Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting following Breast Cancer Surgery

Abstract

Aims : Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) are unpleasant symptoms common in women undergoing breast cancer surgery. We investigated the risk factors and evaluated preventive measures associated with PONV following breast cancer surgery. Method : This retrospective observational study included 175 women with breast cancer who underwent breast cancer surgery. Based on the Apfel scoring system for PONV, these women were classified into a high- and low-risk group. Pharmacological prophylaxis was administered to 81 women in the “treatment group”. Results : The incidence of PONV was 27.7% (95% confidence interval [CI] 18.6-36.7%) in the non-treatment group and 9.9% (95% CI 3.4-16.4%) in the treatment group, and relative risk reduction was 64% (95% CI 25-83%). Multivariate analysis showed that pharmacological prophylaxis (odds ratio 0.15, 95% CI 0.06-0.39) and risk classification based on the Apfel score (odds ratio 6.4, 95% CI 1.7-24.1) were significant risk factors for PONV. Conclusion : The administration of pharmacological prophylaxis based on a pre-surgical scoring system was effective for the prevention of PONV.