Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) after thyroidectomy in women is especially frequent. Ramosetron and dexamethasone prevent cancer chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting- and PONV.

Ninety three women undergoing thyroidectomy under general anesthesia with sevoflurane and remifentanil were allocated to one of three groups: Control (n = 30), ramosetron (Group R, n = 30), ramosetron with dexamethasone (Group RD, n = 33). Doses of ramosetron (0.1 mg) oral tablet by oral route and intravenous dexamethasone (5 mg) were used. The incidence and severity of PONV, and postoperative blood glucose level in each group were studied.

The incidence of PONV in the control and R and RD groups were 43%, 20%, and 18% respectively. The incidence and severity of PONV were similar in the R and the RD groups. Blood glucose levels postoperatively were higher in RD group compared with control and R groups.

Oral ramosetron reduced the incidence of postoperative nausea. The combination of ramosetron and dexamethasone increased postoperative blood glucose levels significantly without additional effect on PONV.