Granisetron-droperidol combination for the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting in female patients undergoing breast surgery

Abstract

We have compared the efficacy and safety of the combination granisetron-droperidol with each antiemetic alone in preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) after breast surgery. In a randomized, double-blind study, 150 female patients received granisetron 3 mg, droperidol 1.25 mg or granisetron 3 mg with droperidol 1.25 mg (n = 50 each) i.v., immediately before induction of anaesthesia. A standard general anaesthetic technique was used. The incidence of PONV during the first 24 h after anaesthesia was 18% with granisetron, 38% with droperidol and 4% with the granisetron-droperidol combination (P < 0.05; overall Fisher's exact probability test). We conclude that the granisetron-droperidol combination was more effective than each antiemetic alone in the prevention of PONV in female patients undergoing breast surgery.