Efficacy of Low Dose Propofol in Prevention of Nausea and Vomiting After Central Neuraxial Blockade

INTRODUCTION: Major gynaecological surgeries are associated with highest incidence of post-operative nausea and vomiting as high as 60-83%.Propofol is believed to be an antiemetic and therefore is usefull to decrease incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting when used in low dose. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 60 ASA I,II patients undergoing abdominal/vaginal hysterectomy under central neuraxial block were randomly allocated to group P(propofol) and group C(control) of 30 patients each.At the end of surgery ,on shifting the patient to recovery room,patients where given either study drug(inj.propfol 1% 1cc iv bolus) or control drug (inj normal saline 0.9% 1cc iv bolus) after taking baseline parameters.Patients where evaluated for complaints of nausea and vomiting for 15 min in recovery room for 1 hr and thereafter in postoperative ward till 24 hrs by a person who is blind to study. OBSERVATIONS AND RESULTS: The incidence of patients experiencing nausea was 27.3% in grp P and 49.8% in grp C and vomiting 6% in grp P and 20.1%in grp C.No clinically adverse events caused by study drug where noticed. CONCLUSION: We conclude that low dose propofol helps in preventing nausea and vomiting in remarkable manner with no side effects