Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Meta-Analysis
. 2016 Mar;122(3):664-676.
doi: 10.1213/ANE.0000000000001062.

The Effectiveness of Midazolam for Preventing Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Eun Jin Ahn  1 , Hyun Kang, Geun Joo Choi, Chong Wha Baek, Yong Hun Jung, Young Choel Woo
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

The Effectiveness of Midazolam for Preventing Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Eun Jin Ahn et al. Anesth Analg. 2016 Mar.

Abstract

Background: Previous randomized controlled trials regarding the effectiveness of perioperative midazolam in preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) have produced conflicting results. Consequently, the present systematic review was performed to assess the effect of perioperative administration of midazolam on PONV.

Methods: The MEDLINE®, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases were searched to identify all randomized controlled trials that investigated the effectiveness of midazolam under general anesthesia. The primary end points were defined as postoperative nausea (PON), postoperative vomiting (POV), and PONV.

Results: From 16 studies, 1433 patients were included in the final analysis. Compared with the control group, patients who received midazolam showed a lower overall incidence of PON (risk ratio [RR], 0.51; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.40-0.65; I = 35%; number needed to treat [NNT] = 6; number of included studies [n] = 11), POV (RR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.33-0.65; I = 0%; NNT = 8; n = 10), and PONV (RR, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.36-0.57; I = 31%; NNT = 3; n = 7).

Conclusions: Perioperative administration of midazolam was effective in preventing PON, POV, and PONV.

PubMed Disclaimer

Comment in

References

    1. Tramèr MR, Reynolds DJ, Moore RA, McQuay HJ. Efficacy, dose-response, and safety of ondansetron in prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting: a quantitative systematic review of randomized placebo-controlled trials. Anesthesiology. 1997;87:1277–89
    1. Henzi I, Walder B, Tramèr MR. Dexamethasone for the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting: a quantitative systematic review. Anesth Analg. 2000;90:186–94
    1. Khalil S, Philbrook L, Rabb M, Wells L, Aves T, Villanueva G, Amhan M, Chuang AZ, Lemak NA. Ondansetron/promethazine combination or promethazine alone reduces nausea and vomiting after middle ear surgery. J Clin Anesth. 1999;11:596–600
    1. Henzi I, Walder B, Tramèr MR. Metoclopramide in the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting: a quantitative systematic review of randomized, placebo-controlled studies. Br J Anaesth. 1999;83:761–71
    1. Honarmand A, Safavi M, Khalili G, Mohammadnejad F. Prophylactic administration of haloperidol plus midazolam reduces postoperative nausea and vomiting better than using each drug alone in patients undergoing middle ear surgery. Saudi J Anaesth. 2012;6:145–51

Publication types

MeSH terms