Abstract
We investigated the effectiveness of epidural administration of droperidol for postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONY) and pain in thoracic surgery.
Seventy-five ASA physical status I or h patients undergoing thoracic surgeries under general anesthesia with epidural analgesia were divided into three groups. In the bolus administration group (n=25), droperidol (1.5-3mg) was administered at the end of the surgery. In the continuous administration group (n=25), following the bolus administration of the same dose of droperidol, 0.12-0.2mg•h-1 of droperidol was continuously administered for 48h. In the control group, none was epidurally administered. In all three groups 0.25% bupivacaine (1ml•h-1) and 2-12μg•h-1 of buprenorphine were epidurally administered during the postoperative 48h. In these three groups, we investigated the occurrence of PONY, pain complaints, the need for additional antiemetics and supplemental analgesics for 48h. Total incidence of PONY was 56% in the control group, 28% in bolus group and 4% in the continuous administration group. The need of analgesics was the least in continuous administration group. In conclusion, continuous epidural administration of droperidol decreased not only PONY, but also the need for analgesics.
