Prospective randomized, double-blind comparative study of dexamethasone, ondansetron, and ondansetron plus dexamethasone as prophylactic antiemetic therapy in patients undergoing day-case gynaecological surgery

Abstract

Dexamethasone alone and in combination with selective 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor antagonists is of benefit in the prophylaxis of post-operative nausea and vomiting. In this study, the effectiveness of such a combination in comparison to either drug alone is investigated in day case gynaecological surgery. A total of 177 patients were randomized to three treatment groups: dexamethasone 8 mg, ondansetron 4 mg, and dexamethasone 8 mg plus ondansetron 4 mg. The only significant difference between groups was seen in the first 3 h when failure of prophylaxis was more frequent in patients who had received dexamethasone alone (P=0.0085; Fisher's exact probability test). Confidence interval analysis indicates a modest treatment effect for the combination and the decision whether to perform a larger study depends upon whether such an effect is clinically relevant.