Effect of Intravenous Fluid Therapy on Postoperative Vomiting in Children Undergoing Tonsillectomy

Abstract

Objective: To compare the efficacy of 30ml/kg/hr Ringer's lactate with 10ml/kg/hr to prevent postoperative vomiting (POV) in children undergoing tonsillectomy in general anesthesia. Study Design: A Randomized Control trial. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted for a period of 06 months from 15th May 2017 to 16th November 2017 at Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in the Department of Anesthesia at Holy Family Hospital after approving it from the hospital ethical board. Informed consent (written) was taken from 130 patients. Included patients were between 6 -12 years of age and belonged to American Society of Anesthesia Physical status (ASA class) I or II. They were divided randomly into 2 equal groups by using computer generated numbers. Group A got 10 ml/kg Ringer's lactate and Group B got 30 ml/kg Ringer's lactate as perioperative fluid from the time of induction till the surgery ended. Postoperative vomiting (POV) was recorded at 0, 4 , 8 , 12, 16 , 20 and 24 hours of surgery. Therapy was found to be effective if no episode of Postoperative vomiting was observed in 24 hours. Data was analyzed using SPSS 17. Results: 30 ml/kg Ringer's lactate was found effective in preventing postoperative vomiting in 69% cases and 10 ml/kg Ringer's lactate prevented it in 15% cases. Post operative vomiting occurred in 85% cases in Group A in comparison with 31% cases in B Group. The difference between two groups was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: Super hydration with 30 ml/kg Ringer's lactate is an effective way to reduce the frequency of POV in children undergoing tonsillectomy in general anaesthesia