Comparison of the antiemetic efficacy of tropisetron and droperidol with patient-given tramadol

Oztekin S., Ozzeybek D., Tasdogen A., Kilercik H., Kara H.

JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL RESEARCH, vol.31, no.4, pp.267-271, 2003 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 31 Issue: 4
  • Publication Date: 2003
  • Doi Number: 10.1177/147323000303100403
  • Journal Name: JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL RESEARCH
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.267-271
  • Keywords: tramadol, tropisetron, droperidol, analgesia, antiemetics, complications, nausea, vomiting, POSTOPERATIVE NAUSEA, CONTROLLED ANALGESIA, ONDANSETRON, PREVENTION
  • Dokuz Eylül University Affiliated: No

Abstract

We compared the antiemetic efficacy of tropisetron versus droperidol in women given tramadol after total hysterectomy. Forty patients were randomly allocated to group 1 (n = 20, tropisetron 0.05 mg/kg intravenously) or group 2 (n = 20, droperidol 15 mug/kg intravenously). Tramadol infusion (intravenously), for post-operative analgesia, was started at fascia closure. Incidences of post-operative nausea and vomiting, pain intensity, tramadol use, and the need for a rescue antiemetic (metoclopramide 10 mg) were recorded 0 h, 2 h, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h and 48 h post-operatively. Vomiting and nausea incidences were reported fewer in group 1 than in group 2, but statistical significance was only reached for vomiting incidence 6 h post-operation. Tropisetron seems to have better antiemetic properties than droperidol in patients receiving tramadol, because of the length of its duration of action. Further studies, investigating alternative ways of managing postoperative nausea and vomiting, and the use of tramadol for post-operative analgesia, are needed.