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

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 μg/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 post-operative nausea and vomiting, and the use of tramadol for post-operative analgesia, are needed.