Intravenous fluid and postoperative nausea and vomiting after day-case termination of pregnancy

Abstract

Background: Deprivation of oral fluid before minor surgery has been alleged to cause postoperative nausea. We examined the effect of intraoperative fluid load on postoperative nausea and vomiting over 3 d after day-case termination of pregnancy.

Methods: In a randomized study, 100 patients were allocated into one of two groups; receiving 1000 ml of compound sodium lactate solution during surgery or no intraoperative fluid. Propofol and alfentanil was used to induce and maintain anaesthesia with nitrous oxide (67%) and oxygen (33%). Visual analogue scores for nausea and pain, the time and frequency of emetic episodes, analgesic and antiemetic consumption were recorded for 3 d postoperatively.

Results: The scores of nausea were significantly lower in the fluid group (P < 0.05) compared with the control group at 1, 2, 4 h and during 24-48 h following surgery. The incidence of emesis was lower (P < 0.01) after discharge, and the time to first oral fluid was shorter (P < 0.05) in the fluid group. There was no difference in pain score or analgesic consumption between the groups. Five patients (10%) in the control group requested antiemetic medication compared with none in the fluid group.

Conclusion: Intraoperative fluid administration may offer some benefit in decreasing the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting following day-case surgery.