COMPARISON OF METOCLOPRAMIDE AND DEXAMETHASONE WITH DEXAMETHASONE ALONE FOR PREVENTION OF POST-OPERATIVE NAUSEA VOMITING

OBJECTIVE: To study the antiemetic efficacy of combination of Metoclopramide and Dexamethasone as compared to Dexamethasone alone in prevention of post-operative nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing elective abdominal surgical procedures. SETTING AND DURATION OF STUDY: It is a prospective, randomized and blind study done in the department of Anesthesiology, SGT University of Health Sciences from June 2010 to November 2011. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 100 adult ASA I and II patients undergoing elective surgical procedures were divided into groups A and B. Patients were randomized into 2 groups, Group A (n=50) were given Dexamethasone 8mg I/V (2ml), Group B (n=50) were given a combination of Metoclopramide 10 mg and Dexamethasone 8 mg, 30 minutes before end of surgery. All patients were observed for 24 hours in the ward for nausea and vomiting (PONV) postoperatively. RESULTS: Less than two episodes were seen in 59 (59%) cases in which 36% (18/50) were in group A and 82% (41/50) in group B. Two episodes of vomiting were observed in 29(29%) and more than two episodes of vomiting was observed in 12(12%) cases. Less than two episodes of vomiting was significantly high in group B than group A (82% vs. 36%). CONCLUSION: There was significant reduction in post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV) when Dexamethasone and Metoclopramide was used per operatively.