Isopropyl alcohol inhalation: alternative treatment of postoperative nausea and vomiting

Abstract

Background: The mechanisms for postoperative nausea and vomiting are numerous and pathways not well elucidated. Although many medications have been developed to help prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting, the search for better approaches to recovery treatment continues.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of isopropyl alcohol (IPA) inhalation for treatment of postoperative nausea and vomiting for patients who have general anesthesia for a surgical procedure.

Method: Participants were recruited from an urban hospital on the East Coast of the United States. Participants were assigned to an experimental or control group and IPA inhalation was compared to the standard anti-emetic treatment for rescue treatment in the immediate postoperative period. Postoperative nausea and vomiting was rated using a descriptive ordinal scale.

Results: The results of this study show IPA to be effective and that there was no significant difference between the standard treatment protocol and treatment with IPA. Treatment with IPA was significantly more cost effective than standard drug treatment.

Discussion: Further research is recommended to evaluate the length of effectiveness, standard dose needed, most effective mode of inhalation, and factors blocking IPA effectiveness.