RETRACTED: Combination of granisetron and droperidol in the prevention of nausea and vomiting after middle ear surgery (Retracted Article)

Study Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of granisetron-droperidol combination for the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) after middle ear surgery. Design: Prospective, randomized, double-bind study. Setting: University hospital. Patients: 150 ASA physical status I patients (108 females, 42 males) scheduled for elective middle ear surgery. Interventions: Patients received granisetron 40 mu g/kg (n = 50) droperidol 20 mu g/kg (n = 50), or granisetron 40 mu g/kg plus droperidol 20 mu g/kg (n = 50) intravenously immediately before induction of anesthesia. Measurements and Main Results: A standard general anesthetic technique and postoperative analgesia were used throughout the study. A complete response, defined as no PONV and no need for another rescue antiemetic, from 0 to 3 hours after anesthesia occurred in 78%, 56% and 94% of patients who had received granisetron, droperidol, and granisetron plus droperidol, respectively. The corresponding incidence between 3 and 24 hours after anesthesia was 80%, 52% and 94%. Thus, a complete response within the first 24-hour postanesthetic period was greater in patients receiving granisetron-droperidol combination than in those receiving granisetron alone or droperidol alone ( p < 0.05). No clinically adverse events were observed in any of the groups. Conclusions: A combination of granisetron and droperidol is more effective than droperidol or granisetron alone for the prevention of PONV after middle ear surgery. (C) 1999 by Elsevier Science Inc.