Abstract
Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) are commonly observed, undesirable consequences of gynecological surgery. This study was undertaken to evaluate epidural droperidol as prophylaxis against PONV after gynecological surgery. Women with ASA classified physical status 1 or 2, scheduled for gynecological surgery, participated in a randomized double-blind clinical trial using a general anesthesia combined with epidural anesthesia. Group D (n=35) received epidurally a single dose of 2.5mg morphine and 2.5mg of droperidol together with 2.5mg/day morphine and droperidol each in the infusion syringe for 3 days. Group C (n=29) received epidurally a single dose of 2.5mg morphine and saline placebo together with 2.5mg/day morphine. Postoperativelly, the incidence and severity of PONV, pruritus, and pain were recorded according to our criteria for 3 days. There was no significant difference in the incidence of PONV between group D (46%) and group C (48%) [χ2 test]. There was also no significant difference in the severity of PONV in any period of the investigation (Mann-Whitney U test). Epidural droperidol potentiated analgestic effect of epidural morphine. We conclude that epidural droperidol cannot prevent PONV after gynecological surgery with postoperative analgesia by epidural morphine.
