Management of postoperative nausea and vomiting: how to deal with refractory PONV

Abstract

Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) constitutes a significant factor in delaying recovery after anesthesia and impairing patient satisfaction. To date the prevention of PONV using single or multimodal interventions, usually based on risk assessment, has gained some popularity. However, comprehensive implementation and knowledge transfer of the latest accomplishments in the prevention of PONV is only slowly being adopted into clinical practice. Preventing PONV is the first step in avoiding refractory PONV. This review comments mainly on the management of refractory PONV. As the data on coping with established PONV are rare, further studies focusing on treatment of established PONV are needed.