A Comparison of Preoperative Ondansetron and Dexamethasone in the Prevention of Post-Tympanoplasty Nausea and Vomiting

Background: Nausea and vomiting are common complications of anesthesia and surgery. Patients undergoing tympanoplasty are exposed to a higher risk of postoperative nausea vomiting (PONV). These complications may alter the results of reconstruction and anatomical alignments. Numerous antiemetics have been studied to prevent and treat PONV in patients undergoing tympanoplasty. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of intravenous ondansetron and dexamethasone on post-tympanoplasty PONV. Methods: In a double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial, 219 patients were divided into three groups including one receiving ondansetron, one receiving dexamethazone, and one receiving distilled water. All patients were subjected to tympanoplasty type I. The patients in the first group received ondansetron (4 mg IV), second group received oexamethasone (8 mg IV), and third group received distilled water prior to induction of anesthesia. Using Bellivelle's scoring system, the incidence of PONV and its severity during the 24-hour period after surgery were measured and compared. Results: There was no significant difference among PONV in the three groups in the first two hours after the surgery. However, in 2-8, 8-16 and 16-24 hours after the surgery the PONV in ondansetron and dexamethasone groups were significantly lower than that in the control group. Conclusion: Ondansetron and dexamethasone were more effective than placebo in controlling PONV after tympanoplasty surgeries. Moreover, dexamethasone was more effective than ondansetron in preventing PONV.