Postoperative Nausea And Vomiting, Risk Factors And Management

Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is defined as any nausea, retching, or vomiting occurring during the first 24–48 h after surgery in inpatients. PONV is one of the most common causes of patient dissatisfaction and clinicians’ burden post anesthesia. Incidence of PONV is 30% in all post-surgical patients and up to 80% in high-risk patients. This article outlines the risk factor and management of PONV.

Reduction in Baseline Risk Factors Blanket use of PONV prophylaxis is not cost-effective and unnecessarily risks drug-related adverse effects. However, some recent review and meta analysis showed that a similar antiemetic effect can be achieved by adding single-drug pharmacological prophylaxis to the inhalational anaesthetic, instead of substituting inhalational anaesthesia with propofol-based TIVA. Risk Factors Patient-specific: Female Sex Non-smoker History of PONV or motion…