BACKGROUND: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) are common problems in patients undergoing a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. This study evaluated the effect of prophylactic metoclopramide (MCP) and induction with propofol on PONV.

METHODS: 165 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomly divided into four groups. Groups 1 (control group) and 2 were inducted with thiopental sodium. Groups 3 (propofol group) and 4 were inducted with propofol. Prophylactic metoclopramide 10 mg i.v. was administered in Groups 2 (MCP group) and 4 (propofol + MCP group). The incidence of PONV, the need for rescue antiemetics, adverse events, and the nausea severity scores were assessed at 0 to 1 hour and at 1 to 24 hours postoperatively.

RESULTS: During the first 24 hours after anesthesia, the incidence of PONV in Groups 1, 2, 3 and 4 was 41.5%, 29.3%, 30.3% and 23.3%, respectively. There was no significant difference between the groups. During the period, 1 hour to 24 hours, after anesthesia, the incidence of PONV in Groups 1, 2, 3 and 4 was 36.6%, 17.4%, 27.5% and 14.4%, respectively. The incidence of PONV in Group 4 was significantly lower than in Group 1 (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: In patients with laparoscopic cholecystectomy, a combination of prophylactic metoclopramide administration and induction with propofol was found to reduce the incidence of PONV by about 22.6% during the period 1 hour to 24 hours after anesthesia.