Indian Journal of Anaesthesia (Jan 2007)
Antiemetic effects of granisetron versus dexamethasone in clonidine premedicated children undergoing strabismus surgery
Abstract
In a prospective, double blind, randomized trial, 120 children, aged 3-8 years,ASAI-II, undergoing strabismus repair were randomly divided into three groups (n = 40 each). Oral clonidine premedication (4gg.kg-1) was administered to all the patients two hours prior to surgery. Soon after induction of anaesthesia, Group G patients were administered intravenous granisetron (40gg.kg-1 ), Group D intravenous dexamethasone (150gg.kg-1) and group S received 4ml normal saline. Postoperatively, children were continuously monitored and assessed half-hourly till discharge and then after 24 hours for vomiting and pain. The overall incidence of postoperative emesis was lower (15.4%) in the Group G compared with the Group D (21.6%) in the first 24 hours (P>0.05). The Group S had a highest incidence of postoperative vomiting ((37%) P value < 0.0324 compared to group G). The frequency of early vomiting was highest in the S group. Both G and D groups showed better control of delayed emetic episodes. We observed that in children who were premedicated with clonidine, both IV granisetron or dexamethasone were efficacious in reducing the incidence and severity of POV in day-care strabismus surgery.
