BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effect of propofol on the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) during the first 24 hours after minor orthopedic surgery using general anesthesia. METHODS: We studied 66 healthy female patients (aged 20-67 years old). The patients were randomly divided into the two groups: (i) Group P (n=33): Anesthesia was induced with propofol and fentanyl, and maintained with continuous infusion of propofol. (ii) Group E (n=33): Anesthesia was induced with thiopental and fentanyl, and maintained with enflurane. We compared the incidence and severity of PONV at 6 and 24 hours after the operation between the two groups. RESULTS: The incidence and severity of PONV in Group P was significantly lower than in Group E during the first 6 hours after the operation (p<0.05). However, after 6 hours, there was no significant differences between the two groups. CONCLUSION: In the early postoperative period, the use of propofol prevents PONV.