BACKGROUND: Nausea, vomiting are among the most common postoperative complaints. We compared the effects of dexamethasone with or without propofol to the effects of conventional regimen consisting of enflurane-N2O in the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting. METHODS: Eighty healthy children, aged 3~14 yr, undergoing elective tonsillectomy were alldegrees Cated randomly to receive either 67% nitrous oxide and 1.5~2.0% enflurane or 67% nitrous oxide and propofol infusion 6~10 mg/kg/hr for maintenance of anesthesia. Dexamethasone 150 microgram/kg(maximum dose 8mg) or placebo was administered intrvenously(IV) in a double-blinded fashion before surgery. RESULTS: Dexamethasone reduced the overall incidence of vomiting from 45%(control) to 10%, Propofol also reduced from 45% to 15%. Combination of propofol anesthesia and dexamethasone administration reduced from 45% to 10%. CONCLUSIONS: Dexamethasone and propofol markedly decreased vomiting in healthy children after elective tonsillectomy.