Randomized, double-blind trial of dolasetron versus droperidol for prophylaxis of postoperative nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing TRAM flap breast reconstruction surgery

Abstract

Clinical observation indicates that patients undergoing transverse rectus abdominus musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap breast reconstruction surgery frequently experience postoperative nausea and/or vomiting (PONV). No controlled trials have evaluated the role of pharmacologic prophylaxis of PONV in this population. A prospective randomized, double-blinded, active-controlled trial comparing intraoperative intravenous droperidol 1 mg with dolasetron 50 mg was conducted. Seventy-one patients were included in the intention-to-treat analysis. The incidence of the primary end point of PONV within 24 hours after surgery was 81.8% versus 78.9% for droperidol and dolasetron, respectively (p = 0.8). No significant differences were detected in the time to onset of PONV, incidence of severe nausea or emesis, or incidence of emesis alone. Time to rescue antiemetic use was longer in the droperidol group (7.1 vs. 1.3 hours, p = 0.002). Adverse effects were similar between the two groups. No PONV-related complications occurred during the trial period. The incidence of PONV in TRAM flap breast reconstruction surgery patients remains high despite prophylactic intraoperative antiemetic administration.