Background: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) are major adverse consequences following laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Several drugs have been used to combat its occurrence.
Aim: show the efficacy of the intraperitoneal route and compare different antiemetic effects of dexamethasone, dexmedetomidine, and their Combination on PONV after laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anesthesia.
Methods: 240 patients aged 20-50 years old, Apfel score 1, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification I or II who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Were randomized equally into four groups. Group I (control group): received 20 ml normal saline, group II (dexamethasone group): received 8mg dexamethasone, group III (dexmedetomidine group): received dexmedetomidine 1mic/kg, and Group IV (combination group): received the combination of both dexamethasone (8mg) + dexmedetomidine (1mic/kg). The medications were diluted in 20 mL normal saline.
Results: Nausea was reported in 26 (43.33%),10 (16.67%),11 (18.33%), and 6 (10%) in groups I, II, III, and IV, respectively. Vomiting was observed in 25 (41.67%), 11 (18.33%), 10 (16.67%), and 5 (8.33%) in groups I, II, III, and IV, respectively. Antiemetic medication was required for 24 (40%),11 (18.33%),12 (20%), and 8 (13.33%) in groups I, II, III, and IV, respectively. Nausea, vomiting, and antiemetics requirements significantly differed among the four groups (p value