[Retrospective analysis of postoperative nausea and vomiting after craniotomy]

Abstract

Background: Postoperative nausea and vomiting are important complications after craniotomy.

Methods: One hundred and seventy eight patients who had undergone brain tumor resection at Nara Medical University were retrospectively divided to one of two groups; with or without PONV within 24 hours postoperatively. Variables compared between the groups include gender, age, weight, height, site of surgery (supratentorial versus infratentorial craniotomy), size of brain tumor, type of anesthesia (inhalation versus intravenous anesthesia with nitrous oxide), intraoperative fentanyl dose, duration of surgery as well as anesthesia, and intraoperative posture.

Results: PONV occurred in 87 patients (49%). The incidence of PONV in patients undergoing infratentorial craniotomy was significantly higher than that in patients undergoing supratentorial craniotomy (75% vs 45%, P = 0.0011). There were no significant associations between PONV and other variables analyzed.

Conclusions: These results indicate that the incidence of PONV after brain tumor resection is high and infratentorial surgery is a risk factor for PONV. Strategies for the prevention of PONV after craniotomy are required.