Comparison of Preoperative Ondansetron and Dexamethasone in Prevention of Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting after Middle Ear Surgeries

Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is frequent adverse event of anesthesia and surgery. Patients after middle ear surgeries are in greater risk of PONV. Likewise، this complication may destroy results of reconstruction and anatomical alignments. Numerous antiemetics have been studied for the prevention and treatment of PONV in patients scheduled for middle ear surgeries. This study aimed at comparing intravenous ondansetron and dexamethasone in this regard. In a double-blind randomized clinical trial، 219 candidates of middle ear surgery were randomized in three groups; O، D and P and studied in Tabriz Imam Reza Hospital. Patients in group O received ondansetron (4 mg، IV)، in group D received dexamethasone (8 mg، IV)، and in group P placebo prior to induction of anesthesia. Incidence of PONV، as well as its severity (according to Beilville scoring system) was documented during 24 hours after surgery and compared between the three groups. During 2-8 and 8-16 hours after operation، the incidence of PONV was significantly higher in group P (P<0. 001). Similar results were documented regarding the severity of PONV. Intravenous ondansetron and dexamethasone are both more effective than placebo in controlling the PONV after middle ear surgeries. Dexamethasone is significantly more effective than ondansetron in preventing the PONV.