The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of sevoflurane with or without nitrous oxide compared with propofol on the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting after gynecologic laparoscopy.

One hundred and forty patients of ASA status I or II, undergoing gynecologic laparoscopy were studied. Patients were allocated randomly to one of four groups: (I) GROUP 1 (n = 35): Anesthesia was induced and maintained with propofol using a computer controlled infusion system in combination with 60% nitrous oxide in oxygen. (II) GROUP 2 (n = 35): Anesthesia was induced and maintained with sevoflurane in combination with 60% nitrous oxide in oxygen. (III) GROUP 3 (n = 35): Anesthesia was induced with sevoflurane with 100% oxygen and maintained with sevoflurane in combination with 60% medical air in oxygen. (IV) GROUP 4 (n = 35): Anesthesia was induced with propofol 2 mg/kg intravenously and maintained with sevoflurane in combination with 60% nitrous oxide in oxygen. The incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting and requests for antiemetic rescue medication were assessed 2 and 24 hours after surgery.

In group 1 (compared with groups 2, 3, and 4), the incidences of postoperative nausea and vomiting (9% compared with 31%, 29%, and 37%) within the first 2 hours after surgery, were significantly lower. However, there were no statistical differences among the four groups in the 2 to 24 hours after surgery with respect to the incidences of postoperative nausea and vomiting.

For gynecologic laparoscopy, the use of propofol for induction and maintenance is more effective at preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting than sevoflurane with or without nitrous oxide within the first 2 hours of surgery, This study found no statistically significant difference between the postoperative incidence of nausea and vomiting, whether 60% N2O or medical air was used with sevoflurane.