CAN WE FIND PREDICTIVE FACTORS OF POSTOPERATIVE VOMITING AFTER DAY SURGERY?

A retrospective analyses of patients submitted to surgery on a day basis was made through our database. The goal of the study was to identify risk factors of postoperative vomiting associated to day surgery. 2115 patients operated between January 2003 and November 2004 on our day surgery unit were included. 70 patients (3,3%) suffered at least on episode of postoperative vomiting. Several factors were analysed: age, sex, surgical speciality, ASA physical status, anaesthetic technique and the duration of anesthesia. Chi-Square Test was used for testing each factor individually. Differences were considered significant when p < 0,05. Logistic regression was then used to identify the multivariate association strength of these factors. The female sex (Odds ratio = 4,94) and the duration of anesthesia when longer than 180 minutes (Odds ratio = 8,13), had been associated to a higher incidence of postoperative vomiting, while loco-regional technique (Odds ratio = 0,15) and sedation with local anaesthesia (Odds ratio = 0,09) had been associated with a lower incidence. Authors evidence the importance of the identification of postoperative vomiting risk factors that will allow us to establish better guidelines on postoperative nausea and vomiting prophylaxis in these patients and to improve the quality of our clinical care and the satisfaction of our patients.