Comparison of ramosetron and granisetron for preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting after gynecologic surgery

Abstract

In a prospective, randomized, double-blinded study, we evaluated the efficacy of granisetron and ramosetron for preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in major gynecologic surgery. One hundred twenty patients, ASA physical status I or II, aged 23-65 yr, received i.v. granisetron 2.5 mg or ramosetron 0.3 mg (n = 60 each) at the end of surgery. A standard general anesthetic technique and postoperative analgesia were used. The incidence of a complete response, defined as no PONV and no need for another rescue medication, 0-3 h after anesthesia was 87% with granisetron and 90% with ramosetron; the corresponding incidence 3-24 h after anesthesia was 85% and 90%; the corresponding incidence 24-48 h after anesthesia was 70% and 92% (P < 0.05). No clinically serious adverse events due to the drugs were observed in any of the groups. In conclusion, prophylactic therapy with ramosetron is more effective than granisetron for the longterm prevention of PONV after major gynecologic surgery.

Implications: We compared the efficacy of granisetron and ramosetron for preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting in major gynecologic surgery. Prophylactic therapy with ramosetron was more effective than granisetron for preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting 24-48 h after anesthesia.