Control of postoperative nausea and vomiting: a comparative study of diphenidol (vontrol®) and dimenhydrinate ( gravol®)

Abstract

Two antiemetic agents, diphenidol and dimenhydrinate, were compared as to their ability to control symptoms of nausea and vomiting during the first 24 postoperative hours in patients having undergone cholecystectomy, abdominal or vaginal hysterectomy, colpoperineorrhaphy, or uterine fixation. The experiment was carried out under controlled but not double-blind conditions. Results in the diphenidol-treated group were superior to a statistically significant degree with regard to incidence of vomiting, presence of symptoms of nausea and vomiting (rated according to an arbitrary scale), and over-all patient response, as well as incidence of drowsiness. Aside from drowsiness there were no side-effects in either drug group, nor did any undue variations occur in blood pressure, pulse, or respiratory rate. © 1968 Canadian Anesthesiologists.